Kaoutar
Once considered a North African delicacy, couscous is now eaten all over the world mostly for its star mineral, selenium; in fact, it can be found on the shelves of most grocery stores.
It is a processed grain product made from durum wheat balls or semolina flour; there are three types: Moroccan, Palestine, and Lebanese, with the Moroccan version being the smallest and most readily available. Pearl couscous is the size of peppercorns and takes longer to cook; it tends to have a crackpot flavor and chewy texture, while Lebanese couscous is the largest of the three and has the longest cooking time.
Couscous is often considered a healthy alternative to pasta, as it is made from whole wheat flour; other types of pasta are typically more refined. Well cooked, it is light and fluffy, in addition, it tends to take the flavor of other ingredients, so it is very versatile. It can be added to salads or it can be served as an accompaniment with meats and vegetables or, combine with other grains such as quinoa, brown rice or farro, as well as vegetables, to add more nutrients and amino acids to the diet.
One of the most important nutrients in couscous is selenium; just one cup (157 grams) of couscous contains more than 60% of the recommended intake. Selenium is an essential mineral with many health benefits and couscous, is one of the foods that contributes the most to this mineral.
The multifunctions of selenium in couscous
Selenium is a powerful antioxidant that helps your body repair damaged cells and decreases inflammation. It also plays a role in thyroid health; It is essential for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland, as it protects it against damage and contributes to the production of hormones.
On the other hand, the selenium in couscous can help reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in your body. Its antioxidant function can also help reduce plaque buildup and “harmful” LDL cholesterol in veins and artery walls.
Couscous May Help Reduce Cancer Risk
The selenium in couscous may also help reduce your risk of cancer according to several studies showed that high levels of selenium in the blood may protect against certain cancers, although the effect was associated with eating selenium-rich foods, rather than taking supplements.
Some studies have specifically linked selenium deficiency to an increased risk of prostate cancer. In addition, consuming adequate amounts of selenium, in combination with vitamins C and E, has been shown to decrease the risk of lung cancer in smokers.
Conclusion
Well, couscous is a dish of Berber origin prepared with durum wheat semolina. Once it is cooked its appearance is a bit like quinoa… but only their appearance because nutritionally they are nothing alike.
Couscous Is Itself A Healthy And Complete Dish.
Today you are giving tales traditional dishes of cuisine in the world are what we now call healthy dishes?
Perhaps nothing new is invented and our grandmothers already cooked those delicious dishes with all the necessary nutrients for a good diet.
