10 Benefits of Buckwheat Tea
Buckwheat tea or soba cha is a healthy gluten-free beverage that promotes weight loss and provides many health benefits.
It is made from the seeds of the buckwheat plant, a pseudocereal that has the qualities of cereal but is not counted in the list of cereals. It is similar to grains such as wheat and is often used in the preparation of bread and pasta.
Buckwheat tea provides many health benefits due to the abundance of essential nutrients like vitamins and mineralsÁ etc.
Benefits of Buckwheat Tea
Following are the major health benefits of buckwheat tea.
(1) Promotes Cardiovascular Health
Buckwheat tea is good for our heart health and improves cardiovascular health.
Antioxidants and other relevant compounds such as phytonutrients and polyphenols in buckwheat protect our cardiovascular system from free radical damage.
A study published in the American Heart Journal, regularly drinking buckwheat tea help control the signs and progress of cardiovascular diseases.
The study involved 220 postmenopausal women suffering from cardiovascular disorder( CVD)
Buckwheat tea was also found to be effective against high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels, both of them are considered as the leading cause of various cardiovascular problems.
(2) Aids in Preventing Edema
Moderate intake of buckwheat tea reduces the risk of edema, a condition in which excess fluids get trapped inside the body tissues and lead to swelling. It is due to chronic venous insufficiency.
Studies conducted on patients with edema found buckwheat tea to be effective in reducing edema symptoms and for reducing the edema from progressing further.
(3) Improve Kidney Health
Drinking buckwheat tea keeps our kidneys healthy.
Kidneys are the vital organ that removes toxins and other unwanted substances from our body and also help with other functions such as
- Regulating ACID-BASE balance
- Controlling water balance
- Maintaining water balance
- Controlling blood pressure
- And, activating vitamin D.
Antioxidants and other relevant compounds such as flavonoids, etc in buckwheat tea protect our kidneys from free radical damage and improve their efficiency.
Detoxifying compounds in buckwheat tea remove toxins from our system and improve kidney health.
Buckwheat tea reduces the risk of kidney disorders.
Because of its diuretic properties, buckwheat tea increases the frequency and flow of urination and improves renal health.
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(4) Aids In managing Diabetes
Buckwheat help in managing diabetes as it has a low glycemic index and slows down the rate at which sugar is released into the bloodstream.
As per a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, buckwheat tea or buckwheat concentrate showed a significant reduction in blood glucose levels in diabetic rats.
Rutin in buckwheat tea is effective against type-2 diabetes.
As per studies, buckwheat tea could reduce blood glucose levels by 12 to 19 percent within 90 minutes of administration ( when given to lab rats with intentionally inflected diabetes).
The Chiro-inositol compound in buckwheat tea acts as an insulin mimic and increases the sensitivity of body cells towards insulin.
(5) Protection Against Various Cancers
Antioxidants and other relevant compounds such as phytonutrients and polyphenols etc in buckwheat tea protect our cells from free radical damage and reduce the risk of various cancers such as colon cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, abdominal cancer, intestinal cancer, and pancreatic cancer, etc.
Free radicals are unstabilized ions that stabilize by stealing electrons from nearby molecules, and doing so causes oxidative damage to them.
Lignans in buckwheat tea convert to mammalian lignans such as enterolactone and reduce the risk of breast cancer and other hormone-dependent cancers.
Drinking buckwheat tea improves our body’s ability to fight against cancer cells.
(6) Improves Ovulatory Functions
D-Chiro- Inositol in buckwheat tea improves ovulary functions in women.
As per a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, D- Chiro-Inositol in buckwheat tea increases insulin actions in patients suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome.
It also provides other benefits like reducing blood pressure levels, decreasing the concentration of serum, androgen, and plasma triglycerides.
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(7) Helps With Weight Loss
Buckwheat is low in calories and promotes weight loss. Drinking buckwheat tea provides energy for day-to-day activities without worrying about excessive calories.
An antioxidant compound such as catechin also plays a significant role in promoting weight loss.
(8) Strengthens Immune System
Buckwheat strengthens our immune system, the defense mechanism of the body that helps in preventing and treating various infections and diseases.
Antioxidants and relevant compounds in buckwheat tea protect the immune cells or white blood cells from free radical damage and strengthen immunity.
Antioxidants further strengthen immunity by enhancing the production of white blood cells.
When our immunity is stronger, our risk of getting a cough, cold, fever, and flu is reduced.
The antimicrobial properties of buckwheat protect against bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.
Other compounds like tocotrienols, vitamin E, selenium, and phytic acid, etc in buckwheat tea also boost our immunity.
(9) Wonderful Non-Caffeinated Beverage
Buckwheat tea is a decaffeinated beverage and is good for individuals who prefer decaf tea over caffeinated tea or coffee.
Most teas contain caffeine, a natural stimulant that stimulates our brain and nervous system. Caffeine in tea and coffee keep increase alertness and prevent tiredness. However, too much coffee or caffeine is bad.
Compounds such as vitexin and rutin in the buckwheat tea improve blood flow and benefit against varicose veins and leg edema.
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(10) Good For Digestion
Buckwheat tea improves our digestive health.
Antioxidants and other relevant compounds such as phytonutrients and polyphenols, etc in buckwheat tea protect our digestive system from free radical damage and reduce the risk of various cancers such as colon cancer, abdominal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and intestinal cancer, etc.
The laxative properties of buckwheat tea relieve constipation and other gastrointestinal problems such as abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome, gas, bloating, and flatulence, etc.
Side Effects of Buckwheat Tea
Some common side effects o buckwheat tea are as follows.
- Pregnancy Complication- Buckwheat tea may cause complications in pregnancy and should be avoided by pregnant women. Nursing mothers should also be cautious and consult their doctor before consuming buckwheat tea.
- Light sensitivity – Some reports suggest that drinking buckwheat tea may increase light sensitivity in some people.
- Allergic reactions– Avoid buckwheat tea if you are allergic to wheat or buckwheat as it may cause allergic reactions such as asthma symptoms, rhinitis, gastrointestinal disturbance, angioedema, and anaphylaxis, etc.
- Skin Inflammation and Gastrointestinal Issues– Avoid buckwheat tea if you experience skin inflammation or gastrointestinal issues after consuming it.
Disclaimer
The information contained in the post is for general purposes only and shouldn’t be considered as medical advice or as an alternative to medical advice. Although I’ve tried my best to keep the information contained in this post as accurate and updated as possible, I make no guarantee of the accurateness of the same.
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