8 Surprising Couscous Benefits You Shouldn’t Miss
Couscous is not just a “delicious food that can be named twice.” It offers many benefits in life. The couscous benefits include health benefits such as improved heart health, prevention of bacterial and viral infections, and promoting metabolism in body systems.
What is couscous?
Couscous is a traditional dish of North African culture, consisting of small balls of durum wheat or semolina flour. Although it is often confused with cereal, it is the same dough from which many types of pasta are made. Couscous is a dish made by fermenting small balls of rice with hot water until they yield a substantial meal. It first appeared in historical records in North African countries in the 13th century and was thought to have been growing ever since. Learn about the staple foods of Middle Eastern countries and Turkey.
Couscous is available in its natural form mainly only in Mediterranean and North African countries. In the US, UK, and other countries worldwide, couscous is usually served in steamed or cooked varieties, so a little hot water is needed to make the cooked and dried couscous balls fluffy. It is often used in the kitchen under rice or pasta, meat, vegetables, and sauces. It is sometimes added to salads by the intrepid culinary artisan but is traditionally associated with dishes like stews.
Most of the health benefits of couscous are due to its excellent mineral and vitamin content, such as selenium, thiamin, niacin, folate, and manganese.
Nutritional information in couscous
Nutritional information for 100g cooked couscous is as follows:
Ingredients:
- 100g cooked couscous
- Energy 113 calories
- Carbohydrates: 25.3g
- Dietary fibre 2.1g
- Phosphorus 23mg
- Vitamin A 9.22 mcg
- Protein 2.2g
- Fat 0.7g
To get all the health benefits of couscous, a balanced, healthy diet, and daily exercise are also important.
Directions:
Couscous can be steamed or cooked in the microwave, oven, or in a pan. For example, this dish can be consumed with milk, butter, eggs, fish, eggs, vegetables, or sun-dried meat.
Couscous benefits recipes
Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- 1 can of beans, drained
- 1 can of corn, drained
- 1/2 cup chopped green olives
- 2 cans of sardines or tuna.
- 1 cup homemade tomato sauce.
- 3 cups couscous
- 3 boiled eggs, sliced
- 2 cherry tomatoes, sliced
- 1/2 cup water
- Green chilies, salt, and pepper to taste
Add olive oil to a pan and fry the onions over medium heat for 3 minutes. More the peppers, peas, corn, and olives and fry for 2 minutes. Add the tomato sauce, green chilies, sardines, or tuna, and water, and bring to a boil.
Once boiling, add the couscous and stir constantly. Add salt and pepper Stir for another 5 minutes. Grease the mold with olive oil, spread the sliced tomatoes and eggs, then pour in the couscous mixture. Wait 10 minutes, remove from the mold, and serve.
Healthy couscous benefits
The health couscous benefits are discussed in more detail below:
1. It can strengthen the immune system
Selenium’s natural antioxidant properties help fight the immune system. The diffusion of free radicals and other toxins into the bloodstream and body systems is a problem, but selenium has another unique way of boosting the immune system. Selenium stimulates the regeneration of Vitamin C and Vitamin E. Both Vitamin C and Vitamin E play an important role in the body’s defense mechanisms. Overall, couscous can be a very effective supplement to boost the body’s natural defenses.
2. May increase muscle mass
Selenium is an important component in muscle building, as it is an essential component in protein metabolism and muscle development. Studies have shown that selenium deficiency is one of the main causes of muscle weakness and wasting, abnormal fatigue, and general weakness. Selenium is a very difficult nutrient to obtain naturally, making couscous one of the best sources for increasing muscle mass.
3. May improve the cardiovascular system
Perhaps one of the most important components of couscous is selenium, which is an essential component for many of the health benefits discussed here. Selenium is a trace element that is very difficult to find in food but is an essential mineral for the human body. One cup of couscous contains more than 60% of the recommended daily intake of selenium, making it perhaps one of the richest sources of selenium in any food. When it comes to heart health, selenium acts primarily within the blood vessels as a powerful antioxidant, reducing plaque and dangerous LDL cholesterol buildup in the walls of arteries and veins. As a result, selenium protects the body from the development of dangerous and life-threatening diseases such as arteriosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes.
In addition, couscous is an excellent source of potassium. Potassium is also an important nutrient, but it is much easier to obtain it from other foods. It is important for reducing the constriction of blood vessels and lowering blood pressure, which is beneficial for patients at high risk of various cardiovascular diseases. Potassium also contributes to a normal heartbeat and prevents certain cardiac cycle irregularities.
4. May help wound healing
Wound healing and recovery from illness or surgery is one of the most challenging times for the body, as it must work at full speed to maintain normal function and provide energy and nutrients for extensive repairs. Couscous is extremely helpful at this time as it provides large amounts of protein. Protein is an essential part of wound healing and also in the metabolism of enzymes that aid in wound healing both internally and externally. Couscous is an important part of a protein diet, and with over 15% of the human body made up of protein, any food that is this rich in protein is a good thing.
5. May improve digestion
One cup of couscous can contain nearly 10% of the body’s recommended daily intake of fiber. Couscous is a fiber-rich food that contributes to proper digestion and digestive health. Fiber helps increase stool bulk and stimulates peristaltic motion, the smooth muscle contractions that help move food along the digestive tract. It can also act as a scraper or artery cleaner, removing harmful LDL cholesterol and helping to eliminate it from the body. Fiber also helps stimulate the absorption and retention of HDL cholesterol (“good cholesterol”) in the body. It can also reduce the risk of constipation, thereby preventing some harmful intestinal diseases.
6. Can optimize water balance
Our bodies are made up of more than 90% water, so the water balance of our body is essential for our organ systems and body cavities to function properly. Potassium is found in large amounts in couscous, and potassium is essential for the regulation of fluid pathways and cells. This fluid balance is important in regulating blood pressure throughout the body, thereby reducing the risk of diseases such as atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes. In addition, it maintains a balance between nutrient absorption and toxin elimination by helping to regulate the body’s excretory activities. body.
7. Possible weight loss aid
Dieters are often looking for low-calorie food sources, and grains are often used because they are nutritious, relatively easy to cook, and low in calories. When it comes to grains like rice or quinoa, couscous is known to be the better grain, with less than 200 calories per cup, less than 10% of the recommended daily calorie intake for adults. This makes couscous very beneficial for those who are trying to lose weight primarily through dieting, although the extra protein that couscous provides can also help build muscle effectively in case you want to lose weight in other ways. Couscous also contains very little sodium, cholesterol, and saturated fat, which are harmful to weight loss.
8. Can help regulate body metabolism
Couscous is rich in protein, which makes it perfect for regulating the metabolism throughout the body. Protein is one of the essential components of our body and is found in hair, skin, nails, teeth, organs, muscles, bones, natural chemicals, and enzymes. When we are deficient in protein, many of our body’s organ systems stop functioning properly, leading to a long list of potentially life-threatening health effects. Couscous can alleviate many concerns for those who do not want to face complete organ failure due to protein deficiency. It is especially popular with vegetarians and vegans because they are missing out on some important sources of protein, meat, and dairy.
Antibacterial properties in couscous
The immune-boosting abilities of couscous are partly related to its proven qualities as an antibacterial and antiviral agent. It may help fight herpes viruses and cold sores.
Couscous, a carb-rich food, is often avoided due to health concerns, but its health benefits outweigh the risks of excessive carbohydrate intake.
Be cautious of allergic reactions to sorghum or durum wheat, as some individuals may react to various foods.