Don’t freak out about freekeh

beta herbs three grain freekeh, rice and quinoa

What Exactly Is Freekeh?

Freekeh, despite its odd name, may be considered the new supergrain. Why? Because it is loaded with nutritional benefits that beat quinoa and other multigrain. It is an ancient grain with its roots in the Middle East. It’s pronounced free-kah or farik in Arabic. It is short for wheat. The new supergrain is a cereal food made from durum wheat and is harvested while young and green. It is roasted and rubbed to create a unique flavor that’s earthy, nutty and slightly smoky.

The Freekeh advantage over quinoa

Nutritionally, freekeh dominates over quinoa. It has low-fat, high-protein and high-fiber content. If we compare servings, freekeh has more protein and double the fiber of quinoa. For this reason, you stay fuller longer if you eat freekeh, and this gives it an advantage for weight loss. And it also provides diabetics with a healthy option. The supergrain is high in iron, calcium, and zinc, in addition to its prebiotic contents, which can help the digestive system work more efficiently.

Whereas quinoa is gluten-free, freekeh is not. In this particular case, it is not an option for gluten intolerants, for it is a wheat product.

Benefits of Freekeh

1. Weight Control

The fact that the supergrain is high in protein and a high-fiber food, it makes you feel fuller longer and hence reduce the need for snacking between meals and this spells great news for your waistline.

2. Supports Healthy Digestion

As a high fiber food, freekeh is known to promote healthy bowel movement. Some of the carbohydrates in freekeh are non-digestible insoluble fiber. Both soluble and insoluble fiber is good, but in this case, the insoluble fiber helps your digestive health by adding bulk to stool. This can provide relief from constipation and ease the passage of food through your digestive tract.

3. Antioxidants for Eye Health

Freekeh contains antioxidants that help prevent age-related loss of sight. There is evidence that suggests these chemical compounds help the development of the eyes from the early stages.

4. Inflammatory Bowel Conditions

Freekeh contains prebiotics which promote the growth of beneficial bacteria already present in the intestines. Hence, prebiotics are different from probiotics which introduce good bacteria into the gut from the outside. The prebiotics may be helpful for anyone suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which includes abdominal pain.

5. Helps Build Strong Muscles

Each 100 gram serving of freekeh comes with around 2.27 grams of an amino acid called glutamic acid. Glutamic acid is popular with bodybuilders and athletes because it helps to make glutamine which can improve strength and endurance.

6. Blood Sugar Control

The new supergrain is an ideal choice for diabetics and for those who are simply looking to manage their blood sugar levels. The wholegrain variety of the supergrain has a relatively low glycemic index of 43. The Glycemic Index (GI) is a scale that ranks carbohydrate-rich foods by how much they raise blood sugar. This low GI implies that eating the supergrain makes it a great option for the prevention or management of diabetes.

7. Strong bones

Freekeh contains phosphorus which is the second most common element in your body and present in all your cells (especially in your teeth and bones). Phosphorus makes up 1% of your total body weight. It’s responsible for how your body burns fat, works with the range of B vitamins to regulate energy, and has a direct impact on kidney function, heart health, and your central nervous system. It helps to maintain fluid balance and helps in the development of your DNA.

This supergrain contains both phosphorus and calcium in large enough quantities is known to form stronger bones.

If you have tried freekeh, let us know what you think in our comments section.


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