10/28/2022
Ancient Grains Provide Healthy Carbs, Which Are Linked to Prevention of Many Diseases
Like superfoods, ancient grains are another buzzword that markets certain grains and seeds — like buckwheat, farro, and quinoa — as more nutritious than modern crops. The Whole Grains Council notes that grains that have been “largely unchanged over the last several hundred years” are considered ancient grains.
But to reap the benefits of grains, you don’t need to overthink it. Simply choose whole over refined grains. Compared with white rice, for example, brown rice provides more nutrients and fiber, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Also, barley, bulgur wheat, brown rice, and oats are common whole grains that have the whole nutritional package, notes Harvard, and are packed with fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins. Brown rice specifically has a variety of phenolic acids with antioxidant properties that may prevent conditions like type 2 diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, notes a study published in May 2018 in the journal Antioxidants.
