Couscous: health benefits and harms

Today it is very popular to monitor the correctness and benefits of your diet. There are many tips for using certain products. Many of them have not even heard of some of them before. One of them is couscous.

What is couscous

Couscous is a wheat cereal that used to be made from millet, grinding it into flour. Then water was added there and a very cool dough was kneaded. Dividing into pieces, grind it through a sieve. Those grains that passed through the net were sent back for processing. The ones that remained were a little smaller than round rice grains. They were dried in the sun. The drying process is very long - 1.5–2 months. So it turned out couscous groats.

From time immemorial, only women have been involved in the preparation of this cereal. It is unlikely that you can find many other products of such energy-intensive production. Now, of course, this work is done by machines. Production is fully automated. But hand-made cereals are much more expensive. Although the taste is no different. Today, couscous is made from semolina, slightly sprinkled with water.

This product came to Europe from North Africa and the Mediterranean, almost immediately gaining popularity as porridge and even as a side dish. Now mostly couscous is made from semolina. They attribute it not to cereals, but to pasta, only of a very small size.

Composition and calorie content

By its composition, couscous is a real storehouse of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and carbohydrates. The substances that make up this cereal are perfectly absorbed by the body, unlike many other products.

1. Vitamins of group B. They are necessary for our body to ensure the normal functioning of systems. They participate in the regeneration of cells of the central nervous system, take part in the normalization of metabolism, and improve the functioning of the brain, heart and blood vessels. Increase immunity. Vitamin B5, contained in cereal in sufficient quantities, relieves chronic fatigue and depression, helps to get rid of insomnia - modern problems of all megacities.
2. Copper. It is important for the circulatory system, is involved directly in the process of hematopoiesis.
3. Selenium. The most powerful antioxidant. One of the most useful elements found in this product. Strengthens the immune system, normalizes the production of hormones, is responsible for the muscle and overall tone of the body.
4. Phosphorus and potassium - This is the basis for the normal smooth operation of the heart. They also play a huge role in maintaining a healthy bone structure.

Slow carbohydrates contribute to the breakdown of fats and better absorption of nutrients found in other foods.

Couscous in itself is a very high-calorie product, so those who want to lose weight need to eat it very carefully. 100 grams of cereal contains 73 grams of carbohydrates and 370 kcal. But do not rush and immediately abandon this product. If you include it in your diet once a week in small quantities, it will bring more benefits to the body as a whole than harm to your figure. Here are two basic rules that you must follow, and then the cereal will not increase your weight, but rather help to lose extra pounds due to the normalization of metabolism in your body.

1. The portions should be small, but in fact there is not much to eat, since it is very satisfying.
2. Porridge is only steamed without the addition of butter and sugar. If this is a side dish, then you need to combine it only with vegetables.

What is useful couscous

The benefits that this product provides to the body cannot be overestimated.

General benefit

1. Increases immunity.
2. It fights against chronic fatigue, depression, stress and insomnia that has already become commonplace.
3. Regenerates skin, hair, nails.
4. Significantly improves brain function, making it more active.
5. It improves the gastrointestinal tract, as it normalizes digestion and metabolism. Cleanses the intestines from toxins and toxins.
6. Well restores water-salt balance.
7. Quickly increases low hemoglobin.
8. Lowers cholesterol.
9. Prevents the appearance of kidney stones.
10. The substances that make up this product help to better absorb calcium, which is very important for bones.
11. Prevents the development of cancer.

Since, as mentioned above, when eating cereal, a person stays full for a long time, he adds strength and energy.

For women

At all times, women carefully took care of their appearance and beauty, struggled with the early signs of aging. Couscous, like nothing else, can become the main assistant in this struggle for youth. It is a powerful prophylactic against wrinkles and aging of our entire body as a whole. Eating cereal from this cereal for breakfast in a week will significantly improve health, the skin will become fresh, radiant and young.

The inclusion of this exotic product in your diet will significantly affect hair growth. They will harden, become stronger, healthier, denser and more elastic. The beneficial substances found in cereals will prevent the appearance of premature gray hair. Perfectly regenerates and strengthens nails, protecting them from brittleness and delamination. The body is being cleaned very actively, and if the cause of excess weight was a poor metabolism, when eating couscous groats, the metabolism will recover, and the figure will become more slim.

Substances that make up cereals stimulate the work of female sex hormones.

For men

Of particular importance is the introduction of couscous groats in the diet of men engaged in physical labor, or athletes. It provides the supply of carbons in the required quantity, which are then transformed into energy. This cereal contains a large amount of protein, which is needed to build muscle mass in athletes.

The selenium contained in the composition cleanses the body of smokers from accumulated toxins. Selenium also helps increase potency. Quickly restores strength after physical exertion. Protects hair from falling out.

During pregnancy

During the period of gestation, the female body is in urgent need of useful substances and vitamins necessary for the normal development of the fetus. Therefore, the use of couscous groats during pregnancy is not only allowed, but also vital at the very beginning of the cycle and until birth. The presence in sufficient quantity of this product so important for the formation and proper development of the fetus of folic acid reduces the risk of fetal abnormalities. Significantly reduces toxicosis. Eating couscous porridge is an excellent prevention of anemia that often occurs during pregnancy.

The use of this product during pregnancy should be reduced to 150-200 grams per week in order not to gain absolutely unnecessary excess weight.

When breastfeeding

Eating couscous while breastfeeding, the woman does not feel any unpleasant reactions of her or the child’s body to this food.On the contrary, the vitamins and minerals found in cereals, which are so necessary for the normal growth and development of the baby, enter his body with mother's milk. On top of that, couscous tends to calm by acting favorably on the nervous system.

Nursing mothers need to introduce couscous groats into their diet carefully so as not to cause an allergic reaction. It is necessary to start with very small portions, eating porridge no more than once a day.

From what age can children be given couscous

Like any porridge, couscous can be entered into the children's menu no earlier than the child turns 8 months old. Already by this age, a small childish body learns to break down those proteins that are part of cereals. Earlier use may cause an allergic reaction. It is also important to remember that couscous is introduced into the baby’s diet only after the child is used to other cereals.

Add to the diet this new dish, like all others, you need 1 teaspoon. Couscous can be prepared with vegetables, fruits or meat.

Useful properties of couscous groats for weight loss

In an effort to lose weight, people seek all kinds of diets, limit themselves in eating food or even starve. Any diet in the absence of variety very quickly bothers and, except for melancholy, does not cause any emotions from eating. You need to try to diversify your diet menu.

The amazing property of cereals with its calorie content is to simultaneously promote weight loss. Fiber, found in excess in couscous, helps control weight. Once in the stomach, it absorbs water and swells, which allows you to not feel hunger for a very long time. In addition, cereal contains more protein than carbohydrates, which requires more effort to digest this food, which means that metabolism will begin to accelerate, calories will go away, and with them fat.

It has been said more than once that not a single diet without sporting loads gives a result, but it is worth trying to introduce porridge from this cereal into your diet. The mood rises, strength is added, I don’t want to eat at all - there definitely should be a result.

Couscous in medicine

Doctors recommend starting to consume couscous in small portions to make sure that there are no allergic reactions to its components. For what diseases can this product be eaten, and for which it is not recommended? Let's get it right.

With diabetes

With diabetes, it can be consumed only in small quantities and without sugar. Since the cereal itself is simply fresh, you will not get any pleasure from using this product. Important: the glycemic index of whole grain couscous is 45 units, and the couscous from refined semolina is 60 units.

With pancreatitis

In the diet, the presence of couscous is allowed in small quantities. After an acute attack, porridge from this cereal can be eaten no earlier than two weeks later.

With gastritis

In the presence of this disease, it is recommended to eat couscous. It has a delicate structure, does not irritate the gastric mucosa and is easily absorbed. When used, it is better to grind in a blender and then cook.

For constipation

With constipation, you must definitely consume this grits, as it improves intestinal motility. Fiber contained in the product cleanses the intestines of toxins and various toxins accumulated in it.

With gout

Gout is a metabolic disorder that causes salt deposits in the joints and kidneys. Therefore, cereals, and especially couscous, are highly recommended by the doctors themselves.

With colitis

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease are recommended to use only liquid cereal and only in small quantities.

With cholecystitis

With this disease, couscous is allowed and even recommended as a side dish for vegetable and meat dishes.

Couscous in cosmetology

Couscous can not only be eaten - it is used in cosmetic masks.

A face scrub mask with the addition of 1 tablespoon of cereal, one egg is very useful. Mix it with 1 teaspoon of honey. Spread evenly over face and leave for 15 minutes. Then rinse with warm water. You will see the effect after the first time.

Mask for strengthening brittle nails. Mix 2 tablespoons of cereal with 2 tablespoons of peach oil and add 1 teaspoon of almond. Heat the mixture to a pleasant warmth. The mask is applied to the nails, wrapped with foil and put on gloves on top. You need to keep 15 minutes. After several procedures, the nails are significantly strengthened.

Harm and contraindications

Despite the fact that couscous has many useful properties, there are contraindications to the use of this cereal in food. Fortunately, there are very few of them, and understanding them is not difficult.

1. Allergy to cereals. In case of redness, itching and peeling, this product should be excluded from your diet. There may, of course, be other manifestations of an allergic reaction. Be careful. If there is a reaction, but you still really want to eat couscous, try to make it not from semolina, but from rice.
2. As mentioned earlier, people with diabetes should also avoid this product. Or consult with your healthcare provider first.
3. It is also better for people with thyroid problems to consult their healthcare provider before cooking their couscous porridge.
4. If obesity is detected, eating couscous groats is not recommended.

There are no other contraindications for the use of couscous. The main recommendation is to comply with a reasonable norm, which, in general, applies to absolutely everything that we eat.

Since the dishes from this cereal are very satisfying, the usual servings should be reduced in order to avoid overeating and associated bloating and diarrhea.

How to cook couscous: recipes

Cooking a quick side dish

Ingredients: for one part of the cereal, take 2 parts of water, red onion, medium carrot, a pinch of salt and hazel, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce.

Pour the groats into a pan, sprinkle with salt and hazel, mix, pour boiling water, close the lid and leave to swell for 15-20 minutes. During this time, fry finely chopped onions and grated carrots. Add soy sauce to vegetables and simmer another 10 minutes, then add ready-made couscous to vegetables and mix everything. Bon Appetit.

Couscous with Chicken

For this dish, prepare the following products: chicken fillet - 300 grams, 2 large tomatoes, 2 white onions and 2 medium carrots. Cereals will need 200 g, parsley or cilantro - a small bunch, a pinch of cinnamon and salt, 400 g of water.

Couscous is poured with boiling water, but not boiled, but simply covered with a lid so that it swells for about 10 minutes. Vegetables are cut arbitrarily, as you like. In any oil, first fry the onions until transparent, add all the other vegetables and fry for another 5 minutes, stirring constantly, so as not to burn. We shift the vegetables into a deep bowl. And in the remaining oil we fry the chopped chicken fillet arbitrarily. Salt the meat. After the meat is fried, put the prepared vegetables there, add water so that it covers the vegetables. Add cinnamon. Stew for 10 minutes. We spread the ready-made couscous, mix, turn off the fire, close the lid and wait until the remaining water is completely absorbed into the cereal.

Do not be afraid to experiment with taste. Maybe the new one will later turn out to be your favorite dish on your table. The simplicity of cooking this wonderful cereal opens up enormous prospects for the flight of imagination in the invention of their own dishes.

The combination of any products: sweet, salty, spicy, spicy, meat, liver, mussels, shrimp and so on - with this extraordinary cereal will give a great opportunity to surprise its guests with real exoticism.

How to choose and store couscous

When buying couscous in supermarkets, be sure to pay attention to the integrity of the packaging. The cereal is correctly preserved, without losing its properties, only in a sealed vacuum container. Only two components must be indicated in the composition of cereals: cereal and water. No salt, sugar or flavorings! Couscous must be made from whole grain wheat.

Store cereals in a cool, dry place. Be sure to in a sealed container. Ceramic jars for bulk products with a tight-fitting lid are best suited. At the bottom you can put a paper towel.

Interesting Facts About Couscous

1. In North Africa, in the homeland of couscous, symbolism was given great importance. Everything that surrounded the people who lived on this continent had its own meaning. Items were endowed with certain properties and revered accordingly. Couscous at home was a symbol of good luck. Women procured it in large quantities, since it was believed that the abundance of this product would bring prosperity, happiness and blessing. During the construction of a new house, women made porridge from couscous and treated the whole village.
2. In Africa, couscous was the food of poor peasants. Once in Europe, the groats came to court in the largest European restaurants. Food lovers have appreciated the quality of this food. And now in our stores on the shelves you can see couscous groats, the cost of which is much higher than ordinary cereals.
3. Couscous is one of the few products from which you can cook dishes for any purpose: salads, soups, cereals, side dishes, dishes for the second, sandwiches and sweet desserts. Groats are combined with almost any product: with meat, vegetables, fruits, seafood. Almost every dish from any kitchen can be cooked with couscous. It does not absorb the aromas of other products, but sets off their taste.
4. Arabs are preparing the world's most spicy dish - lamb ribs with couscous. They put there the most burning red capsicum and call this dish fiery.
5. Arabs brought couscous to Sicily, conquering this island. It did not belong to them for long, but the croup was firmly rooted there. Every year, a couscous festival lasts a week on the island. On it, the best chefs compete in the preparation of dishes from this cereal.
6. Couscous is mentioned in the Guinness Book of Records. So, in 2000, in Tunisia, a dish of couscous with meat was prepared - it took 2 tons of cereal, 30 large sheep, 250 chickens and 40 quintals of vegetables.

The benefits of this product are beyond doubt. More and more people are including it in their diet. Once completely unknown, it gained immense popularity due to the healing properties it possesses. It is surprising that each category of the population, whether women, men, children or the elderly, will appreciate the properties necessary for health, to improve the well-being of this miracle cereal.

Photo of couscous