QUINOA

OTHER NAME(S):

Ajara, Arroz del Perú, Chenopodium quinoa, Mjölmålla, Petit Riz, Quingua, Quinua, Reismelde, Riz du Pérou.

Overview

Overview Information

Quinoa is a plant. The seed of quinoa is eaten like a grain, like wheat. However, it is not a true grain. Quinoa contains higher amounts of protein compared to true grains. It does not contain any gluten.

People take quinoa by mouth for high levels of blood fats called triglycerides and cholesterol, pain, urinary tract infections, and weight loss.

In foods, quinoa is used to make flour, soups, and beer. Quinoa is also used in foods to replace grains like wheat for people who need to avoid gluten, like those with celiac disease.

How does it work?

Eating quinoa might make people feel fuller than wheat or rice. Eating quinoa might also decrease post-meal levels of blood fats called triglycerides compared to eating bread.

Uses

Uses & Effectiveness?

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Obesity. Early research suggests that eating quinoa does not help to lower blood sugar, blood fats, or blood pressure in overweight men.
  • Health problems after menopause. Early research suggests that eating quinoa does not help to lower blood sugar or blood fats in postmenopausal women.
  • Celiac disease.
  • High levels of a blood fat called triglyceride.
  • Insect repellent.
  • Pain.
  • Urinary tract infection.
  • Weight loss.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of quinoa for these uses.

Side Effects

Side Effects & Safety

When taken by mouth: Quinoa is LIKELY SAFE when eaten as a food. There isn't enough reliable information available to know if quinoa is safe to use in larger amounts as a medicine or what the side effects might be. Some people are allergic to quinoa.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if quinoa is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use of amounts higher than those found in food.

Allergy to other foods used as grains: Quinoa may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to foods used as grains, such as buckwheat, wheat, and rice. If you have allergies to grains, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before using quinoa.

Interactions

Interactions?

We currently have no information for QUINOA Interactions.

Dosing

Dosing

The appropriate dose of quinoa depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for quinoa. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

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View References

REFERENCES:

  • Berti C, Riso P, Brusamolino A, Porrini M. Effect on appetite control of minor cereal and pseudocereal products. Br J Nutr 2005;94(5):850-858. View abstract.
  • Berti C, Riso P, Monti LD, Porrini M. In vitro starch digestibility and in vivo glucose response of gluten-free foods and their gluten counterparts. Eur J Nutr 2004;43(4):198-204. View abstract.
  • Bhargava A, Shukla S, Ohri D. Chenopodium quinoa-An Indian perspective. Industrial Crops Prod. 2006;23(2006):73-87.
  • Dijkstra DS, Linnemann AR, van Boekel TA. Towards sustainable production of protein-rich foods: appraisal of eight crops for Western Europe. PART II: Analysis of the technological aspects of the production chain. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2003;43(5):481-506. View abstract.
  • Gonzalez JA, Roldan A, Gallardo M, Escudero T, Prado FE. Quantitative determinations of chemical compounds with nutritional value from Inca crops: Chenopodium quinoa ('quinoa'). Plant Foods Hum Nutr 1989;39(4):331-337. View abstract.
  • Linnemann, A. R. and Dijkstra, D. S. Toward sustainable production of protein-rich foods: appraisal of eight crops for Western Europe. Part I. Analysis of the primary links of the production chain. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2002;42(4):377-401. View abstract.
  • López de Romaña G, Graham GG, Rojas M, MacLean WC Jr. [Digestibility and protein quality of quinua: comparative study of quinua (Chenopodium Quinoa) seed and flour in children]. Arch Latinoam Nutr 1981;31(3):485-497. View abstract.
  • Ma WW, Heinstein PF, McLaughlin JL. Additional toxic, bitter saponins from the seeds of Chenopodium quinoa. J Nat Prod 1989;52(5):1132-1135. View abstract.
  • Ruales J, de Grijalva Y, Lopez-Jaramillo P, Nair BM. The nutritional quality of an infant food from quinoa and its effect on the plasma level of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in undernourished children. Int J Food Sci Nutr 2002;53(2):143-154. View abstract.
  • Astier C, Moneret-Vautrin DA, Puillandre E, Bihain BE. First case report of anaphylaxis to quinoa, a novel food in France. Allergy. 2009;64(5):819-20. View abstract.
  • Berti C, Riso P, Brusamolino A, Porrini M. Effect on appetite control of minor cereal and pseudocereal products. Br J Nutr 2005;94(5):850-858. View abstract.
  • Berti C, Riso P, Monti LD, Porrini M. In vitro starch digestibility and in vivo glucose response of gluten-free foods and their gluten counterparts. Eur J Nutr 2004;43(4):198-204. View abstract.
  • Bhargava A, Shukla S, Ohri D. Chenopodium quinoa-An Indian perspective. Industrial Crops Prod. 2006;23(2006):73-87.
  • De Carvalho FG, Ovídio PP, Padovan GJ, Jordão Junior AA, Marchini JS, Navarro AM. Metabolic parameters of postmenopausal women after quinoa or corn flakes intake--a prospective and double-blind study. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2014;65(3):380-5. View abstract.
  • Dijkstra DS, Linnemann AR, van Boekel TA. Towards sustainable production of protein-rich foods: appraisal of eight crops for Western Europe. PART II: Analysis of the technological aspects of the production chain. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2003;43(5):481-506. View abstract.
  • El-Qutob López D, Bartolomé Zavala B, Ortiz I. Cross-reactivity between buckwheat and quinoa in a patient with eosinophilic esophagitis caused by wheat. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2014;24(1):56-7. View abstract.
  • Garcia-Mazcorro JF, Mills D, Noratto G. Molecular exploration of fecal microbiome in quinoa-supplemented obese mice. FEMS Microbiol Ecol. 2016;92(7). pii: fiw089. View abstract.
  • Gonzalez JA, Roldan A, Gallardo M, Escudero T, Prado FE. Quantitative determinations of chemical compounds with nutritional value from Inca crops: Chenopodium quinoa ('quinoa'). Plant Foods Hum Nutr 1989;39(4):331-337. View abstract.
  • Granda L, Rosero A, Benešova K, Pluhácková H, Neuwirthová J, Cerkal R. Content of selected vitamins and antioxidants in colored and nonpigmented varieties of quinoa, barley, and wheat grains. J Food Sci. 2018;83(10):2439-2447. View abstract.
  • Gullón B, Gullón P, Tavaria FK, Yáñez R. Assessment of the prebiotic effect of quinoa and amaranth in the human intestinal ecosystem. Food Funct. 2016;7(9):3782-3788. View abstract.
  • Hong J, Convers K, Reeves N, Temprano J. Anaphylaxis to quinoa. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2013;110(1):60-1. View abstract.
  • Li L, Lietz G, Bal W, Watson A, Morfey B, Seal C. Effects of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) consumption on markers of CVD risk. Nutrients. 2018;10(6). pii: E777. View abstract.
  • Linnemann, A. R. and Dijkstra, D. S. Toward sustainable production of protein-rich foods: appraisal of eight crops for Western Europe. Part I. Analysis of the primary links of the production chain. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2002;42(4):377-401. View abstract.
  • López de Romaña G, Graham GG, Rojas M, MacLean WC Jr. [Digestibility and protein quality of quinua: comparative study of quinua (Chenopodium Quinoa) seed and flour in children]. Arch Latinoam Nutr 1981;31(3):485-497. View abstract.
  • Ma WW, Heinstein PF, McLaughlin JL. Additional toxic, bitter saponins from the seeds of Chenopodium quinoa. J Nat Prod 1989;52(5):1132-1135. View abstract.
  • Ruales J, de Grijalva Y, Lopez-Jaramillo P, Nair BM. The nutritional quality of an infant food from quinoa and its effect on the plasma level of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in undernourished children. Int J Food Sci Nutr 2002;53(2):143-154. View abstract.
  • Zevallos VF, Herencia LI, Chang F, Donnelly S, Ellis HJ, Ciclitira PJ. Gastrointestinal effects of eating quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) in celiac patients. Am J Gastroenterol. 2014;109(2):270-8. View abstract.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2018.