Teff - A Gluten Free Nutritional Powerhouse

If you suffer from Celiac disease or are sensitiveamount of calcium, potassium and other essential
to gluten, then you have probably already heardminerals found in an equal amount of other grains.
about Teff and if you haven't, get ready to learnPlus, the short fermentation process of making
about a nutritional powerhouse of a grain youengera allows the yeast to generate even more
should seriously consider adding to your diet. Teffvitamins. The high fiber content of the grain is
is the main ingredient in the Ethiopian and Eritreanparticularly helpful in dealing with diabetes and
engera, which is a flat sour-like fermentedhelping with blood sugar control.
pancake that is used with "wot", a stew madeThough almost no research is available regarding
with spices, meats, lentils, beans and split peas.the risk and prevalence of diabetes specifically
The grain is tiny, round, and khaki-colored andamong Ethiopian immigrants in the United States,
closely resembles millet.a study done in Israel among new African
In fact, Teff is the smallest grain in the world andimmigrants compared the prevalence rates of
often is lost in the harvesting and threshingdiabetes in newly arrived immigrants and in
process because of its size. It has long beenimmigrants who had been residing in Israel for 2.5
known by Ethiopians and Eritreans for its superior- 4 years. The study showed that new
nutritional quality, containing 11% protein, 80%immigrants form Ethiopia, in 1984-1985 and 1991,
complex carbohydrate and 3% fat. Teff is also anhad prevalence rates as low as 0.4% and 0%
excellent source of essential amino acids,respectively and the rate was found to be 8.9%
especially lysine, the amino acid that is most oftenamong Ethiopians who had been residing in Israel
deficient in grain foods, and has even more thanfor 2.5 - 4 years, which was after being exposed
barley, millet, and wheat. It is also an excellentto a Western diet and lifestyle.
source of fiber and iron, and has many times the