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Teff is an ancient grain [t.02] with amazing nutritional qualities. Likely, it is recognized as part of the nourishment which basically served human development for millions of years.
Mankind is a big family whose evolution goes back 200 thousand years to common ancestors in Black Africa. Our digestive and organ systems considerably are shaped by the particular vegetation. It may explain why teff's nutritive profile is so well tailored to human needs [t.03]. The proteins (and amino acid constitution), carbs and minerals in teff are found of a preferably good relation to our demands.
Nutrients | Vitamins |
SlimFast Carbs | Minerals/Trace Elements |
Proteins/Amino Acids | Food Applications |
Fast available energy, delivered by modern cereals, behave aggressive to the human organism - like fuelling the engine with the wrong kind of energy: it may break down. And that's exactly what scientists start proving [f.03] and educated consumers now understand.
thanks to its outstanding composition of complex carbohydrates and soluble fibers, essential proteins and its amino acids constitution, vitamins, minerals and trace elements.
Today, consumers have recognized and learn that our food can significantly contribute to strengthen health, lifestyle and wellness. They definitively expect natural and unaffected nourishment and tasty foods of highest nutritional value [t.02, t.19].
Nutrient | range | typical | units | 100g teff/rdi |
---|---|---|---|---|
calories | 288 | kcal | ||
cals from fat | 21 | kcal | ||
water | 10,0 - 13,8 | 12,0 | g | |
protein | 10,0 - 13,1 | 11,7 | g | 16 % |
carbohydrates | 55,3 - 58,8 | 55,3 | g | 18 % |
- fast energy | 8,8 | g | ||
- lasting energy | 26,4 | g | ||
- prebiotic starch | 20,1 | g | 56 % | |
fibers | 15,2 - 27,3 | 26,2 | g | 87 % |
- soluble fibers | 12,5 - 22,8 | 20,1 | g | 100 % |
The body needs three types of energy: a limited quantity of fast available energy, lots of slow, lasting energy and last but not least the prebiotic type of energy [f.03] (read also prebiotic effect of dietary fibres).
Supplying all three types of energy is one of teff's most appealing qualities. In modern nourishment, prebiotic starches are rarely available. But those starches are needed to have our body producing the energy for our organs, including the brain.
80 % of the carbohydrates act complex. Equipped with low glycemic load, these do not sharply raise the blood glucose level (see also dietary fibre drops blood glucose). Almost half of the complex carbs have a pectin-like structure [p.01] to be dissipated in the large intestine into essential fatty acids and amino acids - important to restore and strengthen the organs and the immune system [f.01].
25% of teff's carbs are dietary fibers - soluble ones at most! 150 g teff per day provide sufficient fibers to grant a sound intestinal flora. As a result, the chyme retention time is increased with suppressed appetite and reduced susceptibility for obesity (more at dietary fibre: slimline and weight control). At the same time these help to decrease the impact of sugars and starch on the blood sugar level.
< info >The major function of protein in our nutrition is to grow and maintain tissues, bones, muscles and organs. The complex carbohydrates enable the intestinal flora to generate vital amino acids which are of basic value for the immune system.
Teff is a benchmark: Its amino acids profile is unique and is commonly regarded superior beyond the plant proteins, reckoned as favorable as egg protein. Another topic is the high lysine value [t.02]. The constitution of lysine and calcium makes teff vitally important for the development, growth and regeneration of muscles, tendons and bones. Leucine supplementation can help to boost fat burning whilst preventing loss of muscle tissue (athletes).
Amino acids | range | typical | units | 100g teff/rdi |
---|---|---|---|---|
isoleucine | 420 - 500 | 441 | mg | 59 % |
leucine [t.13] | 880 - 1050 | 940 | mg | 90 % |
lysine | 310 - 340 | 331 | mg | 37 |
methionine | 377 - 460 | 377 | mg | meth/cys: |
cystin | 208 - 220 | 208 | mg | 60 % |
phenylalanin | 560 - 670 | 614 | mg | phen/tyr: |
tyrosine | 403 - 560 | 403 | mg | 97 % |
threonine | 430 - 490 | 449 | mg | 85 % |
tryptophan | 100 - 140 | 116 | mg | 44 % |
valin | 560 - 680 | 604 | mg | 80 % |
Teff contains high-value proteins, comprising the full range of amino acids, including all essential amino acids [t.03, t.09]. It recommends teff as highly valuable for our conscious body handling. After all, teff is free from gluten and allergenic proteins.
The minerals, trace elements, antioxidants and vitamins in teff boost the correcting system which is established in the body to eliminate mutagenic or carcinogenic cells and thus helps to protct agains malign cell tissue.
Important enough to athletes and elderly: Genes degenerate as a consequence of competitive sports, or aging. The chance of cell mutations grows significantly then. Athletes who frequently stress their cell system appreciate teff for its capability to prevent tissue disorders caused by injuries.
Each day, our body needs to be fed with vitamins, minerals and trace elements. But today's modern cereals food normally supplies only very limited quantities of essential minerals.
Teff contains considerably high quantities of magnesium (cell tension), calcium (bones, supporting tissue), iron (blood regeneration and energy supply, catalyses the cell respiration, and is essential for the neurotransmission of our nerve system) [t.03], phosphorous, copper and manganese.
The trace elements and antioxidants in teff support the healing and restoring mechanisms of the cells, e.g. fighting infektions or correction of malfunctions (which might cause cancer if not adjusted).
Antioxidants | typical | units |
---|---|---|
betacarotene | 5 | mcg |
lutein + zeaxanthin | 66 | mcg |
copper | 0,8 | mg |
manganese | 9 | mg |
alpha-tocopherol | 4 | mcg |
zinc | 4 | mg |
The body needs vitamins and minerals for all its vital functions. Wholemeal cereals (a default with teff) include the full range of the grain's vits and mins!
Active ingredient | range | typical | unit | 100g teff/rdi |
---|---|---|---|---|
vit A | 8,00 | IU | 1 % | |
vit B1 - thiamine | 0,1 - 0,77 | 0,55 | mg | 55 % |
vit B2 - riboflavin | < 0,1 | < 0,1 | mg | 7 % |
vit B3 - niacin | 0,54 - 1,29 | 0,79 | mg | 6 % |
vit C | 0,11 - 0,40 | 0,25 | mg | < 1 % |
folic acid (vit B9) | < 0,02 | < 0,02 | mg | 5 % |
calcium | 140 - 180 | 171 | mg | 19 % |
iron [t.03] | 4,9 - 6,6 | 6,7 | mg | 56 % |
magnesium | 150 - 210 | 171 | mg | 41 % |
phosphorous | 370 - 400 | 355 | mg | 44 % |
potassium | 430 - 480 | 420 | mg | 12 % |
sodium | < 10 | 12 | mg | 3 % |
zinc | 3,2 - 6,3 | 4,0 | mg | 27 % |
phytic acid | 100 - 500 | 160 | mg |
ancient grain teff -
H. Turkensteen 18.12.2010
the best grain ever!
Healthy Grains bv
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