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Benefits of Fonio (Acha)

ONE OF THE WORLD’S SUPER FOODS!

BENEFITS OF FONIO

Fonio (locally known as 'acha' or 'acca') is an ancient Super-Grain that has been grown in West Africa for 5,000 years. Today it is making headlines thanks to its moreish flavour and remarkable health benefits: The Guardian described it as “the grain that would defeat quinoa as king among foodies” and The Boston Globe as “the most nutritious grain you’ve probably never heard of”.

Fonio is a delicious, gluten-free, nutrient-rich, low GI grain from the millet family. It has a light nutty flavour and fluffy couscous like texture. Fonio is rich in iron and amino acids and a source of zinc, phosphorus and vitamins B1 (thiamin) and B3 (niacin). It can be cooked in just 3 minutes and used as an alternative to rice, couscous, quinoa or polenta in stir-fries, stews, soups, salads, porridge or as a side dish. But more than that, it provides life-changing income to women farmers in the African Sahel and restores degraded soils. Truly a “super” food that can improve your health and that of the planet while creating sustainable livelihoods in one of the world’s poorest regions.

Fonio has been predicted to be one of the hottest food trends of 2020 by Whole Foods and The Times and it’s not hard to see why.


1. RICH IN AMINO ACIDS AND IRON

Amino acids are vital to human health and an important part of the human diet¹. They are the building blocks of protein, which is needed for the proper growth and development of the body. There are nine essential amino acids which can’t be made by the body and so need to be supplied through food.

Fonio is especially rich in essential amino acids², which is what sets it apart from other grains. In particular, it contains significant amounts of cysteine and methionine, two amino acids that are important for human growth and metabolism² and are often deficient in today's major cereals: wheat, rice, maize, sorghum, barley, and rye. These two sulphur-containing amino acids are known to play important roles in skin, hair, nail and overall health. Methionine has an anti-ageing effect on the skin, helps to avoid hair loss, strengthens nails and helps the liver to process fat². Cysteine is a major constituent of the proteins that make up hair, nails and skin, and is involved in major detoxification processes in the body². One study showed that fonio protein contains almost twice as much methionine as egg protein¹ and another found that it contains triple that of rice.

2. NATURALLY GLUTEN-FREE

Fonio is naturally gluten-free so it is suitable for coeliacs and those with gluten intolerance. According to Coeliac UK, coeliac disease (spelled celiac in other countries) is a serious illness where the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues when gluten is eaten. Coeliac disease is common and affects one in 100 people in the UK. Symptoms can include bloating, diarrhoea, nausea, wind, constipation, tiredness and anaemia and the disease is treated by eliminating gluten from the diet.

3. ENERGY FOOD

Prilan Fonio Acha is rich in nutrients that support the release of energy in the body. It is a rich source of iron and a source of thiamin (vitamin B1), niacin (vitamin B3) and phosphorus, all of which are essential nutrients for healthy energy-yielding metabolism. Iron and niacin are also essential for the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. As well as being packed with energy supporting nutrients, it is also low GI meaning the release of energy is slow, avoiding energy spikes. Try fonio in your morning porridge to keep you energised all day!

4. AIDS CARDIOVASCULAR FUNCTION

A healthy cardiovascular system is key to our overall health and wellbeing, ensuring the effective transportation of nutrients, oxygen and water to every cell in the body. Fonio Super-Grain is rich in iron, which supports oxygen transport in the body and a source of thiamin (vitamin B1), which contributes to the healthy function of the heart. It is also low GI helping reduce the risk of heart disease.

5. DIABETIC-FRIENDLY

Amino acids are vital to human health and an important part of the human diet. They are the building blocks of protein, which is needed for the proper growth and development of the body. There are nine essential amino acids which can’t be made by the body and so need to be supplied through food.

6. MENTAL HEALTH

Food is an often-overlooked component of mental health however the body needs certain nutrients to work effectively and this includes our psychological and neurological processes.Prilan Fonio Acha is a source of B vitamins including thiamin (B1) and niacin (B3), both of which are essential for the healthy functioning of the nervous system and normal psychological function.

7. BRAIN POWER

Cognitive function is the term used to describe our mental abilities including learning, thinking, reasoning, remembering, problem solving, decision making and attention. For all these vital processes to work effectively, certain nutrients are required. Prilan Fonio is a rich source of iron and a source of zinc, two minerals essential for normal cognitive function.

8. Aids digestion

Fonio is very easy to digest and, given its such high fibre content, it also passes easily through the body and will ease constipation and improve the digestive process.

9. Good for diabetes

Fonio has a very low glycemic index, so it is absorbed into the body slowly and doesn’t cause spikes in the blood sugar levels that other refined grains do. It also contains sulphur, chromium and amino acids that help to control diabetes and studies have indicated that eating Fonio might be a way to control blood sugar levels in diabetics.

10. Promotes weight loss

Because of its low glycemic index and its high fibre content, Fonio can also be a very useful food to eat when you are trying to lose some weight. It will fill you up fast and keep you feeling full for some time. Its steady release of energy will also help to avoid food cravings after a meal as well.


Please note that we write from personal experience and interest. Please consult with your healthcare professional for medical advice. Our statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to cure or prevent diseases.