Nutritional Evaluation of Quinoa and its Practicability as a Principal Food in India: An Editorial

Proteins

The protein is one of the very significant components of human diets, helping to restore and build muscles to enable them sturdy. But because of mainstream population remain vegetarian with evading paid to eggs as well the protein is mainly derived from cereals and legumes [8]. These sources persist mediocre to meat and other nonvegetarian sources with respect to protein quantity as well as quality.

But once it comes to quinoa the major facts are considered [9, 10, 11, 12] such as (i) Gluten free, high quality and quantity protein with respect to cereals such as barley, oats, maize and wheat The findings of average protein content from different seed varieties form the crop varies from 7.5 % to 22.1 %; (ii) The nutritional value of quinoa protein is analogous to milk and when cooked the protein efficiency rises; (iii) The high protein content of quinoa arises with higher amount of lysine that in most of the cereals originates as a limiting protein. Likewise, threonine and methionine were found comparatively higher; (iv) It was found that all essential and non-essential amino acids were found in Quinoa enabling it a cereal with balanced amino acid profile both qualitatively and quantitatively; (v) Accordingly, it meets the guideline from FAO/WHO /UNU, 1985 recommendations of amino acid requirements for preschool, school children and adults; (vi) The abundant contentment of protein has therapeutic paybacks such as fatty acid metabolism, cancer metastasis prevention, calcium absorption, formation of antibodies, enhances immune function.

Carbohydrates

The most outstanding features of carbohydrates found in the Quinoa [12, 13, 14] are: (i) It is Gluten free which allow is to be fit even for the people who are Gluten Allergic, thus allowing them to complete their carbohydrate needs; (ii) The high fiber content of this grain aids in slow release of energy so becoming ideal source of carbohydrates. Relatively it has low number of sugars once compared to wheat and rice; (iii) Besides, it displays aptness of its usage for mingling it with other flours such as wheat flour and make other consumables; (iv) Fibre accounts for 6% of the grains total weight, and quinoa intake hence promotes intestinal transit, regulates cholesterol, stimulates the development of beneficial bacterial flora and aids prevent colon cancer.

Fats

Quinoa is an outstanding source of essential fatty acids with 2% to 9% fats contents with certain advantages [9, 10, 12, 15] like (i) It has a low Omega-6 : Omega 3 fatty acids so advantageous for cardiovascular health, immune system, autoimmune disease and inflammation; (ii) In view of fatty acid profile of soybeans and maize resembled similarity in levels of linoleic (C18:2), oleic (C18:1), and linolenic (C18:3) fatty acid as that of quinoa bran oil. Therefore, it recommends a blend of high protein, high fat and higher fiber contents with gluten free carbohydrates; (iii) Nevertheless, the quality and quantity of lipids in quinoa enabled it a substitute oilseed crop.

Other Evidences and Advantages Associated with Quinoa

Besides above there are certain other facts and benefits pertaining to Quinoa. Those are enumerated as follows: (a) It has anti-oxidative, anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic characteristics, henceforth can be used as nutraceutical and functional food ingredient [7, 12]; (b) Effects of quinoa consumption making it appropriate food source for stable uptake of it in the diet is to relatively lower weight gain, an upgraded lipid profile, saponin content, latent antioxidant effects [7, 12]; (c) Quinoa has revealed resistance to stress factors and is grown at high altitudes as well [12, 13]; (d) Quinoa has exposed its ability to lessen the risk of ailments such as cardiovascular disorders, type-2 diabetes, many cancers, high blood pressure, obesity and is also a decent option for Gluten allergic people [18]. Improper food habits make metabolic phenomena suffer and impact health unfavorably hence too leading to many other diseases [12, 18]; (e) This crop has been observed resistant to drought and has revealed good growth on poorly fertilized saline soil without irrigation [19]; (f) It is highly advantageous for consumers who are at higher health risk group, such as children, the elderly, athletes, lactose intolerant, women prone to osteoporosis, anemic, diabetic, dyslipidemia, obesity, and celiac disease [10, 12]; (g) Studies have stated that a serving of quinoa (~40 g) meets a noteworthy part of the daily recommended intake for essential nutrients, mostly vitamins, minerals and essential amino acids [11] and it even concludes intake of compounds like phytosterols, phytoecdysteroids, bioactive peptides etc.; (h) Noteworthy bioactive compounds exhibiting antifungal, antiviral, anticancer, hypocholesterolemic, hypoglycemic, antithrombotic, diuretic and anti-inflammatory activities have been recognized [11]; (i) Buckwheat and Quinoa exhibited the highest antioxidant potential among cereals and pseudocereals studied [5]; (j) Quinoa helps reduce LDL in the body and raise HDL due to its omega 3 and omega 6 content [12].

Means to Integrate Quinoa in Diet and Its Prerequisite in Indian Framework

As highlighted above, there are several nutritional features and therapeutic advantages of quinoa available in literature. Now it is attempted connect how these advantages are a prerequisite for Indian population today that is facing the many challenges like malnutrition in children, pregnant and lactating mothers, undernourishment because of less consumption, undernourishment because of excess junk food consumption, effect on food security because of ecological imbalance, influence on nutritional security of the people living below poverty line, inactive lifestyle and food habits are causing ailments, healthy diets yet not carrying out nutrient supplies, inaccessibility of a major produce that provides economic worth similar to wheat and rice crop [12, 19]. The population of India tolerates the burden of about 24% of world’s malnourished population and 30% of world’s underdeveloped population of children under the age of 5 [12, 20].

Apart from this, the becoming to be parents also faces the same issue that gets exaggerated once it is about the mother. In a study conducted in Kolkata, West Bengal India, about 28 % of women were noticed to be undernourished and belonging to lower socio-economic status family [21, 22]. On the other hand, numerous studies revealed that in the urban population some undernourished were due to the reason that they did not consume the accurate quantity of food and some consumed junk food but that was junk [23]. This overstuffed yet undernourished population has explanations as follows to avoid junk food in staple diet. The apprehensions are as follows sensation of lack of energy, reflects poor concentration, high cholesterol levels, different cardiac disorders, low nutrition value, highly addictive nature, high chemical adiitives and preservatives [24, 25]. Amongst all this there persists issue of ecological imbalance and deterioration of soil or rising salinity that lays its influence on food security and ultimately distresses every aspect of economy and public policy [12]. Besides, once it comes to the problem of farming incomes quinoa proposes a widespread platform to the farmers to accept this crop as its feasting is gaining momentum in the developed world and here and now in developing countries. Because of its capability to grow in drought, unfertilized saline soil, un-irrigated strata; it can be speedily grown with low investment and providing advanced returns.

The beneficial effects of crops including quinoa or its products were obvious when it was given to a sample group of students aged in the range 18 to 45 for 30 days and they exhibited the lowered total cholesterol, lowered Triglycerides, lowered LDL, confirmed helpful in averting and managing cardiovascular disorders [12, 25]. Above are the few approaches, which can be executed to integrate Quinoa in human principal diet in view of relishing the paybacks altogether globally. This necessitates testing of varieties by the Indianagricultural research agencies as apparent from the research accomplished so far [26], reflecting variances made by the varieties and strata, on which it was grown, in the produce delivered. Sustainable tactic is mandatory before starting to grow as the demand is high in developed countries and could be extreme in India as well, thus the economic paybacks may induce the farmers to grow it in maximum triggering same devastation to soil nutrition [26].