Already a favourite among world-class runners, we bet the benefits of this gluten free super grain will have you racing to include it in your diet too.
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Ethiopia is famous for producing some of the planet’sbest everlong-distance runners. According to one of them, Olympic gold medallist and marathon world record holder HaileGebrselassie, the secret to Ethiopian athletes’ track record isteff– the ancient, poppy-seed-sized gluten free cereal. Although recently labelled a superfood for its protein, fibre and nutrient-dense content, that is still quite a claim for such a tiny grain. How can something so small deliver an impact so big?
In this article we turn the spotlight onteffto discover why it is so good for you and what the health benefits of cooking with it are.
What is teff good for?
Teffis clearly good for endurance athletes, but why?
To start,teffis good for providing long-lasting power and ensuring body fitness thanks to its rich protein content. Likebuckwheatandquinoa,teffis considered a complete protein because it contains all the essential amino acids our body needs for cell growth. Among them,teffhas particularly high levels of lysine, which our bodies use to build and maintain muscletissue. Amino acids are also the building blocks of antibodies, and so contribute to a stronger immune system.
Next up,teffis good for blood circulation, muscle function and brain concentration because of its unusually high iron content. Our bodies need iron to make red blood cells, which in turn carry oxygen around the body, feeding our muscles and, most importantly, our brain.
As a whole grain,teffis also an important source of dietary fibre and complex carbohydrates, which are linked to better digestion, gut health and improved blood sugar levels.
Teff nutritional properties
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Beyond its protein, dietary fibre, complex carbohydrate and iron content,teffcontains a whole host of other vitamins and minerals that further enhance its health benefits.First,teffis the leading grain for calcium content, which is crucial not only for bone and teeth health, but also for boosting the immune system and regulating muscle contractions, including heartbeat.Teffalso beats other grains for vitamin C content,increasing its immune-system-boosting effects even further.Other nutrients in high supply are copper (key to energy production, red blood cell formation and iron function), magnesium (essential for healthy muscular, nervous and cardiovascular systems), zinc (helps build resistance to disease) and vitamin B6 (a multifunctional nutrient that supports the workings of all our vital organs).
Teff health benefits
All the nutritional properties that maketeffso beneficial for endurance athletes make it beneficial for everyone. And there are broader health benefits to be felt beyond the racetrack too:
High nutritional value
Teff’simpressive co*cktail of high-quality protein, dietary fibre, iron, calcium, vitamin C, copper, magnesium, zinc and vitamin B6 content make it a nutritional powerhouse. One helping ofteffis enough to provide your body with a significant amount of the daily nutrients it needs to support energy, concentration, muscle function, bone and cell growth, smooth digestion and a strong immune system.
Low in fat
Yet another benefit ofteffis that it is low in saturated fat. This means that you can indulge inteff-based breads, cakes and biscuits literally to your heart’s content, safe in the knowledge thatteffwon’t contribute to hypertension or blocked arteries.
Blood sugar
Teffhas a low glycaemic index. This is thanks to its high-quality protein and fibre content, which ensures energy is released into the bloodstream slowly, preventing spikes in glucose. That helps maintain steady blood sugar levels, and as suchteffis good for controlling and preventing type 2 diabetes.
Teff flour benefits
For a fast-track way to enjoy the nutritional advantages ofteff, look no further thanteffflour.It is even easier to introduce into your cooking thanteffitself, yet it packs all the same incredible health benefits. Simply add it to your dough or batter mix, and eat your way to higher energy, improved muscle function, better blood health and a stronger immune system. Why not use our recipes forgluten free pancakesorchocolate chip cookiesfor inspiration? Swap in someteffflour for some of the flour mix and you’re ready to go. On your marks, set, bake!
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