Abstract:
Background Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is not true grain so that it has been called a pseudo-cereal. It is a highly nutritive plant, with high protein, good fat, low carbohydrate, high in vitamins and minerals especially about magnesium. Along the years it has been observed the average ingestion of magnesium, in a worldwide level, has diminished due to changes on eating habits, being frequently below the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA), that induces the development of magnesium deficiency. Hypomagnesemia has been related as a cause of insulin resistance, also being a consequence of hyperglycemia.
Objective To study an effect of dietary quinoa on fasting blood sugar (FBS) in pre-diabetes patients.
Method This prospective study was conducted on 20 Thai pre-diabetes patients. They were randomized into 2 groups. 10 persons in treatment group consumed quinoa 100 grams for 30 days, While 10 persons in control group consumed ordinary foods. By the way, both groups of volunteers were instructed about nutritional foods and received a guide book for diabetes patients. FBS, weight and blood pressure were determined in the beginning and at the end of the study.
Results In comparision between groups, significant reduction of FBS (107.11 ± 7.99 to 95.11 ± 6.49, p = 0.008) and weight (62.56 ± 15.61 to 61.63 ± 14.29, p = 0.044) were founded in treatment group, While FBS in control group almost to be stable (106.00 ± 5.24 to 106.00 ± 3.97, p = 0.395).
Conclusion Dietary quinoa 100grams daily has effects on reduction of FBS. This is useful for control blood sugar in pre-diabetes patients. In the other way, quinoa become to one of treatments choices instead of medicine.