Quinoa

It was held to be sacred by the Incas, it’s high in protein, gluten free, and one of the few plant foods that contain all nine essential amino acids, and it’s been a staple of Andean cultures for 4,000 – long before it became a global “it food.”

Quinoa is also high in magnesium, which helps with vitamin D absorption, making it a perfect ingredient for our Vitamin D Booster formulation.

Aside from being an absolute nutritional juggernaut, researchers have been studying the other areas of health that quinoa could have a positive impact.

Studies have shown that quinoa aids in preventing oxidative stress, making it a useful antioxidant. Other research has suggested that “quinoa supplementation exerts significant, positive effects on metabolic, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal health in humans,” with potential beneficial links to diabetes and obesity control. Quinoa is also being studied for its impact on cancer but it is too early to say.

There are no known contraindications for quinoa.

Active constituents
Magnesium, potassium, phosphorous, amino acids, protein, omega-6, vitamin E, polyphenols and phytosterols

AVAILABLE RESEARCH

Magnesium

In this article, the authors review the nutrition and dietary qualities of quinoa. Their data reveals that quinoa contains 2496 mg/kg dry wt of magnesium, while the quinoa seed contains 2.6 mg/100 g. Thus, relative to other common cereals, quinoa is proven to be a rich source of magnesium.

Jancurová, Michala, Lucia Minarovičová, and Alexander Dandar. "Quinoa–a review." Czech Journal of Food Sciences 27.2 (2009): 71-79.

In this article, the researcher examined the chemical contents and nutritional value of quinoa. The author found that on the basis of 1 kg dry wt, quinoa has more magnesium (2496 mg) than other cereals.

Kozioł, M. J. "Chemical composition and nutritional evaluation of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)." Journal of food composition and analysis 5.1 (1992): 35-68.

In this chapter, the author collated a number of studies with data that examined the contents of quinoa. The research suggests that the main minerals in quinoa seeds (QS) are magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus.

James, Lilian E. Abugoch. "Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.): composition, chemistry, nutritional, and functional properties." Advances in food and nutrition research 58 (2009): 1-31.

The objectives of this study were to characterize the distribution of food components in quinoa grain fractions and evaluate the food value of this grain. Mineral analysis showed that the quinoa grain is rich in Magnesium (Mg) and other minerals such as potassium (K), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and and iron (Fe).

Ando, Hitomi, et al. "Food components in fractions of quinoa seed." Food Science and Technology Research 8.1 (2002): 80-84.

In this study, quinoa seed was examined to determine the distribution of minerals in it. The examination found evidence of magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium in quinoa.

Konishi, Yotaro, et al. "Distribution of minerals in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) seeds." Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry 68.1 (2004): 231-234.

ADDITIONAL RESEARCH

There is ongoing research on the effects of quinoa as it relates to the following health concerns:

Antioxidant

This review focuses on the phytochemical composition of quinoa and amaranth seeds, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of hydrophilic (e.g. phenolics, betacyanins) and lipophilic (e.g. fatty acids, tocopherols, and carotenoids) nutrients, and how these contribute to the potential health benefits, especially in lowering the risk of the oxidative stress-related diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity.

Tang, Yao, and Rong Tsao. "Phytochemicals in quinoa and amaranth grains and their antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and potential health beneficial effects: a review." Molecular nutrition & food research 61.7 (2017): 1600767.

This work was designed to investigate the effect of diet supplemented with quinoa seeds on oxidative stress in plasma, heart, kidney, liver, spleen, lung, testis and pancreas of fructose-administered rats. These findings demonstrate that quinoa seeds can moderately enhance the antioxidant capacity of blood (plasma) and heart, kidney, testis, lung and pancreas.

Pasko, Pawel, et al. "Effect of diet supplemented with quinoa seeds on oxidative status in plasma and selected tissues of high fructose-fed rats." Plant foods for human nutrition 65.2 (2010): 146-151.

Gastrointestinal

Researchers in this study aimed to evaluate the in vivo effects of eating quinoa in 19 adult celiac patients. It was found that addition of quinoa to the gluten-free diet of celiac patients was well tolerated and did not exacerbate the condition. There was a positive trend toward improved histological and serological parameters, particularly a mild hypocholesterolemic effect.

Zevallos, Victor F., et al. "Gastrointestinal Effects of Eating Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoaWilld.) in Celiac Patients." American journal of gastroenterology 109.2 (2014): 270-278.

In this study, quinoa and amaranth were subjected to an in vitro digestion and used as carbon sources in batch cultures with fecal human inocula. The research suggests that that these pseudocereals can have the prebiotic potential and that their intake may improve or maintain microbial imbalance.

Gullón, Beatriz, et al. "Assessment of the prebiotic effect of quinoa and amaranth in the human intestinal ecosystem." Food & function 7.9 (2016): 3782-3788.

Obesity

A prospective and double-blind study was conducted on 35 women with weight excess who consumed 25 grams of quinoa flakes (QF) or corn flakes (CF). The findings showed that the reduction of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, and the increase in GSH occurred only in the QF group, showing a possible beneficial effect of QF intake.

De Carvalho, Flávia Giolo, et al. "Metabolic parameters of postmenopausal women after quinoa or corn flakes intake–a prospective and double-blind study." International journal of food sciences and nutrition 65.3 (2014): 380-385.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect on subsequent food intake and feelings of satiety of alternative oat bread, oat and buckwheat pasta and of quinoa as compared with their wheat counterparts and rice, respectively. It was found that in addition to oat or buckwheat formulations, also quinoa, may be exploited for their potential impact on eating behaviour, particularly considering they are good sources of functional substances.

Berti, Cristiana, et al. "Effect on appetite control of minor cereal and pseudocereal products." British Journal of Nutrition 94.5 (2005): 850-858.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the ability of quinoa extract enriched in 20E supplementation to prevent the onset of diet-induced obesity and to regulate the expression of adipocyte-specific genes in mice. The results of the study indicates that quinoa extract has an antiobesity activity in vivo and could be used as a nutritional supplement for the prevention and treatment of obesity and obesity-associated disorders.

Foucault, Anne‐Sophie, et al. "Quinoa extract enriched in 20‐hydroxyecdysone protects mice from diet‐induced obesity and modulates adipokines expression." Obesity 20.2 (2012): 270-277.

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of two current cynosure protein substitutes; quinoa and amaranth in controlling short-term food intake and satiety in rats. At the end of the experiment it was observed that the rats ingesting quinoa- and amaranth-supplemented diets exhibited lesser food intake and lesser body weight gain as compared to control. These findings provide a scientific rationale to consider incorporation of these modest cereals in a diet meant to fight against growing obesity and poverty.

Mithila, M V, and Farhath Khanum. “Effectual comparison of quinoa and amaranth supplemented diets in controlling appetite; a biochemical study in rats.” Journal of food science and technology vol. 52,10 (2015): 6735-41. doi:10.1007/s13197-014-1691-1

Diabetes

The objective was to study the effect of pseudocereals-based breakfasts (quinoa and buckwheat) on glucose variations at first meal (breakfast) and second meal (standardised lunch) in healthy and diabetic subjects. The data suggests that the two studied pseudocereals, quinoa and buckwheat, have high potential to improve glucose tolerance at the first and second meal (lunch) and are recommended to be introduced in our daily diet for healthy and diabetic subjects.

Gabrial, Shreef G N et al. “Effect of Pseudocereal-Based Breakfast Meals on the First and Second Meal Glucose Tolerance in Healthy and Diabetic Subjects.” Open access Macedonian journal of medical sciences vol. 4,4 (2016): 565-573. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2016.115

In this study, the health-relevant functionality of 10 thermally processed Peruvian Andean grains (including quinoa) was evaluated for potential type 2 diabetes-relevant anti-hyperglycemia and anti-hypertension activity using in vitro enzyme assays. This in vitro study indicates the potential of combination of Andean whole grain cereals, pseudocereals (such as quinoa), and legumes to develop effective dietary strategies for managing type 2 diabetes and associated hypertension.

Ranilla, Lena Galvez, et al. "Evaluation of indigenous grains from the Peruvian Andean region for antidiabetes and antihypertension potential using in vitro methods." Journal of medicinal food 12.4 (2009): 704-713.

The effect of quinoa seeds on cholesterol, blood sugar levels, protein metabolism and selected essential elements (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium) level was determined in male Wistar rats that were fed high-fructose diets. The results suggest that quinoa seeds can reduce most of the adverse effects of fructose on cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

Paśko, Paweł et al. “Effect of quinoa seeds (Chenopodium quinoa) in diet on some biochemical parameters and essential elements in blood of high fructose-fed rats.” Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands) vol. 65,4 (2010): 333-8. doi:10.1007/s11130-010-0197-x

Other

In this article, the authors outline the nutritional properties of quinoa, which include its protein content (15%), amino acid balance, omega-6, and a notable vitamin E content. The article also suggests that it contains compounds like polyphenols, phytosterols, and flavonoids with possible nutraceutical benefits.

James, Lilian E. Abugoch. "Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.): composition, chemistry, nutritional, and functional properties." Advances in food and nutrition research 58 (2009): 1-31.

The aim of this review was to identify physiological effects of quinoa consumption with potential for human health. A critical evaluation of animal model studies was conducted. The research concludes that purported physiological effects of quinoa consumption included decreased weight gain, improved lipid profile and improved capacity to respond to oxidative stress.

Simnadis, Thomas George, Linda C. Tapsell, and Eleanor J. Beck. "Physiological effects associated with Quinoa consumption and implications for research involving humans: a review." Plant foods for human nutrition 70.3 (2015): 238-249.

This work identifies four clinical studies that demonstrate the effect of quinoa products in human health. The findings of those studies have demonstrated that quinoa supplementation exerts significant, positive effects on metabolic, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal health in humans.

Graf, Brittany L., et al. "Innovations in health value and functional food development of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)." Comprehensive reviews in food science and food safety 14.4 (2015): 431-445.

In this article, the authors outline data surrounding nutritional and functional properties of quinoa. They conclude that quinoa is an excellent example of ‘functional food’ that aims at lowering the risk of various diseases. Functional properties are given also by minerals, vitamins, fatty acids and antioxidants that can make a strong contribution to human nutrition, particularly to protect cell membranes, with proven good results in brain neuronal functions. Its minerals work as cofactors in antioxidant enzymes, adding higher value to its rich proteins. Quinoa also contains phytohormones, which offer an advantage over other plant foods for human nutrition.

Vega‐Gálvez, Antonio, et al. "Nutrition facts and functional potential of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa willd.), an ancient Andean grain: a review." Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 90.15 (2010): 2541-2547.

In this study, researchers isolated six flavonol glycosides from quinoa seeds (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) via normal phase and reverse phase column chromatography. On the basis of this data, all six compounds exhibited antioxidants.

Zhu, Nanqun, et al. "Antioxidative flavonoid glycosides from quinoa seeds (Chenopodium quinoa Willd)." Journal of Food Lipids 8.1 (2001): 37-44.

Anti-Cancer

In this study, the researchers wanted to determine if lunasin, a novel cancer-preventive peptide that has been detected in various plants, would also be detected in 15 quinoa samples. Their findings indicate that lunasin is, in fact, present in quinoa and is bioactive.

Ren, Guixing, et al. "Detection of lunasin in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) and the in vitro evaluation of its antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activities." Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 97.12 (2017): 4110-4116.

In this study, the anticancer and antioxidant activities of Chenopodium quinoa leaves (ChL) were evaluated. The researchers observed that compounds from quinoa leaves possess a chemopreventive and anticarcinogenic potential, demonstrates the possible positive effects of ChL for dietary supplementation.

Gawlik-Dziki, Urszula, et al. "Antioxidant and anticancer activities of Chenopodium quinoa leaves extracts–in vitro study." Food and Chemical Toxicology 57 (2013): 154-160.

In this study, researchers set out to examine quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) as a promising nutraceutical cereal. The anticancer effect of quinoa was investigated on human liver cancer and breast cancer cells. The results suggest that the bioactive polysaccharide from C. quinoa provided promising potential as a natural antioxidant, immune-regulating and anticancer candidate for food and even drug application.

Hu, Yichen, et al. "Chemical characterization, antioxidant, immune-regulating and anticancer activities of a novel bioactive polysaccharide from Chenopodium quinoa seeds." International journal of biological macromolecules 99 (2017): 622-629.