Health Benefits of Teff

Teff leads all the grains by a wide margin in its calcium content, with a cup of cooked teff offering **3 mg, about the same amount of calcium as in a half-cup of cooked spinach. Its also an excellent source of vitamin C, a nutrient not commonly found in grains.

Teff was long believed to be high in iron, but more recent tests have shown that its iron content comes from soil mixed with the grain after its been threshed on the ground the grain itself is not unusually high in iron.

Teff is, however, high in resistant starch, a newly-discovered type of dietary fiber that can benefit blood-sugar management, weight control, and colon health. Its estimated that ****0% of the carbohydrates in teff are resistant starches. A gluten-free grain with a mild flavor, teff is a healthy and versatile ingredient for many gluten-free products.

Since teffs bran and germ make up a large percentage of the tiny grain, and its too small to process, teff is always eaten in its whole form. Its been estimated that Ethiopians get about two-thirds of their dietary protein from teff.  Many of Ethiopias famed long-distance runners attribute their energy and health to teff.