Fonio, Top 5 Health Benefits
Fonio is an ancient gluten-free grain, recently discovered by the Western world also thanks to our contribution, in fact as Obà Food, we managed its approval as Novel Food by the European Commission.
Fonio is a tiny grain, grown for more than 5,000 in West Africa, gluten-free, rich in nutritional properties and delicious. In 2019 it has been named Future’s Food by the WWF as it is grown naturally in arid soils and with no need for watering.
In our previous article, "WWF: Fonio Food of the Future" we spoke about Fonio being the product of a sustainable agriculture and we shared its essential contribution to the agri-food biodiversity.
If you have not tried this cereal yet, Fonio Obà has a texture similar to couscous and quinoa, and a delicate taste with a slightly nutty flavor.
Grains are perfect as side dish with vegetables, meat or fish and they are excellent for vegan burgers. Fonio salad is a lighter dish than couscous and more natural, since it does not derive from an industrial agglomerate of flour, like the couscous “grains” – Fonio is a grain itself.
The flour is perfect for any baked goods, sweet or savory, and if you already use “minor” grains such as buckwheat or teff, then you can't miss it, also because the taste is much more delicate than the others.
Let's go over the top 5 health benefits of Fonio:
1. Suitable for diabetics
The high fiber content contributes to slowing down, and partially preventing, the absorption of sugars; the low glycemic index of Fonio helps to avoid excessive glycemic peaks.
2. Fuel your body
Fonio is a natural source of the 9 amino acids, essential substances which enable the protein synthesis process, therefore it is indicated for muscle recovery after sport.
3. Contributes to strong bones and teeth
Fonio is also a good source of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, which help build strong bones and teeth. This makes it an ideal food for children and it can help to fight the bone diseases, such as osteoporosis, for older people.
4. Rich in iron content
100 g of fonio contain about 7 mg of iron, corresponding to 50% of the daily requirement. Iron promotes the production of hemoglobin and red blood cells, ensuring proper oxygenation of the body's cells, thus ensuring the vitality and healthy growth of the whole organism. It stimulates the functions of the liver, spleen, intestine and bone marrow.
5. Helps weight loss
Thanks to the high fiber content and good carbohydrate intake, Fonio can also be a very useful food when trying to lose weight. It will fill you up quickly and make you feel full for a good amount of time. In addition, it has a sweet and delicate flavor which makes it delicious even with little or no seasoning.
Low nickel content completes the nutritional profile of this cereal.
Fonio Obà is, therefore, an excellent alternative to other grains, a super-food in all respects, with a delicate and extremely versatile taste. And don't forget to try our new gluten-free pasta made with Fonio Obà flour!
