Superfoods refer to foods that offer numerous health benefits, according to The Sun.
While you may have heard of some superfoods like leafy greens and green tea, you might not have come across farro – an ancient wheat grain that is still utilized today around the world.
This grain is often mixed into salads, soups, and stews, resembling barley in appearance.
Farro used in salads.
Farro may offer several health benefits, including weight loss, skin health, and protection against various diseases.
According to The Sun, farro has been cultivated in the Middle East and Mediterranean for thousands of years. However, over time, it has become less popular due to the rise of modern wheat varieties.
Here are some benefits of farro.
Weight Loss
There are several factors that make farro useful for weight loss or weight management.
47 grams of farro contains 170 calories, 6g of protein, and 5g of fiber, according to Healthline. In comparison, a similar amount of white rice has about 150 calories but only 3g of protein and almost no fiber.
Health recommendations worldwide suggest that we should consume about 30g of fiber each day, yet most adults only average about 20g per day.
Protein and fiber have been shown to aid weight loss as they help us feel full without adding extra calories.
This feeling of fullness releases hormones that signal us to stop eating, potentially preventing overeating.
Farro is a fiber-rich food.
Disease Prevention
There is strong evidence that a fiber-rich diet can reduce the risk of:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Type 2 diabetes
- Colorectal cancer
While there are no studies proving that farro will prevent these diseases, consuming farro is a great way to increase fiber in your diet.
Moreover, farro is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols, both of which are believed to play a protective role against heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and certain cancers.
Good for Hair and Skin
Hair and skin are nourished by B vitamins – and farro is abundant in B vitamins, especially vitamin B3.
Although there are no studies directly linking vitamin B3 (or farro) to hair growth, this vitamin helps improve blood circulation, which may encourage hair growth in hair follicles.
Niacinamide – a form of B3 – is prevalent in skincare products. It creates a protective barrier for the skin, reduces inflammation, minimizes pores, and improves various other skin issues.
B vitamins in farro also make it a beneficial food in vegetarian diets, where individuals may sometimes be deficient in B vitamins typically obtained from meat products.
