Quinoa, The Healthy Superfood: An Athlete’s Dream Grain

You chanced upon the calendar and it’s just two more weeks before the most anticipated sporting event in your area, the fun run. You wonder what food to eat that would give you enough stamina and strength to help you reach the finish line. You then hurriedly search the net for that “super food” that everyone was talking about, and hoping that it might also be the golden answer to your question. Amazingly, the heavens answer your prayers; as you came across this wonderful gift of nature called quinoa.

athlete running Quinoa, The Healthy Superfood: An Athlete’s Dream GrainQuinoa Overview

Quinoa belongs to the Chenopodium genus of the Plantae Kingdom. It is akin to beets, and looks like a grain; but in truth, it is not a real grain as it is not part of the grass family. This crop is famous for its seeds which can be cooked and eaten in various ways. It is a top favorite for health conscious individuals because of its incomparable nutritional benefits. Over the years, many have seen, heard and experienced for themselves the marvel of this crop. It has changed the perception of people on crops and cereals especially as to the benefits it can provide.

weight Quinoa, The Healthy Superfood: An Athlete’s Dream GrainQuinoa for Active Bodies

Are you the type of person whose activities keep you burning a lot of calories? Then Quinoa is the right energy booster for you. This is due to the fact that this “supercrop” is high in essential vitamins and nutrients suitable for people who are physically active or to those who require a lot of energy in their day to day living. It is the best nutritional companion for athletes as this would help them elevate their endurance and stamina. This is not surprising as this crop has been around for hundreds of years already. It has been considered as the “wonder grain” of the early Incas in Peru. During those early years, it has been said that this grain was the source of vitality and strength for Inca warriors, thus, now revealing the secret to their conquest and victories of the past. Given this phenomenal attribute, athletes of the present time can definitely benefit from its proven wonders. The grain is rich in nutrients that are undoubtedly indispensable to highly active bodies. Among its top nutrients that can be of great use to athletes are lysine, magnesium and good carbohydrates.

Lysine is an amino acid that helps the body create and repair proteins. It helps in the correct composition of collagen and absorption of calcium, which are needed for the proper development of the bones, ligaments and other skeletal structures of the body. It gives the body stronger support and posture.

 Quinoa, The Healthy Superfood: An Athlete’s Dream Grain

Magnesium is a mineral that also aids in maintaining the strength and health of the structural components of the body. Its main function is to keep the muscles healthy. It has a soothing and calming effect on tired and stiff muscles; thus, avoiding muscle cramps and pain.

Good Carbohydrates in the form of glucose provide the needed energy for physical activities. Getting enough carbohydrates would mean enough energy to burn without scratching any protein-rich muscle tissues.

With all these health benefits provided by this simple yet very nutritional grain, it is no wonder that it has continuously become an indispensable food for a number of athletes. They have seen that including quinoa in their diet is one of the perfect ways to achieve the much needed endurance and strength, to prepare them for that sprint to the finish line.

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