1. Buckwheat as a Whole Grain
Buckwheat is a type of grain different from wheat and is a nutritionally superior whole grain. It contains several components that are particularly beneficial for people with diabetes.
2. Why Buckwheat is Good for Blood Sugar and Health
– Rich in Dietary Fiber: Buckwheat is rich in dietary fiber, which slows down the speed of digestion and absorption. For this reason, it raises blood sugar much more gradually than regular wheat flour noodles.
– Rutin: Rutin, a representative antioxidant in buckwheat, has the effect of strengthening blood vessel walls, lowering blood pressure, and improving blood circulation. This plays a very positive role in preventing cardiovascular complications of diabetes.
– Essential Amino Acids and Magnesium: It is rich in essential amino acids that make up protein and has a high content of magnesium, a mineral that helps improve insulin sensitivity.
3. Check the ‘Buckwheat Content’
However, not all products sold under the name ‘buckwheat noodles’ have the same effect.
– Low Buckwheat Content: To cut costs, many products contain only a small amount of buckwheat flour and fill the rest with wheat flour or starch. Products with less than 30% buckwheat content are actually not much different from regular flour noodles.
– 100% Buckwheat Noodles: To fully enjoy the health benefits, it is best to choose ‘100% pure buckwheat noodles’ or products with at least 70-80% buckwheat content. The texture may be a bit coarse and break easily, but it is much healthier.
– Caution with Tsuyu (Dipping Sauce): The tsuyu sauce used for dipping soba noodles is high in sugar and sodium, so only a small amount should be used.
Summary: Buckwheat noodles with a high buckwheat content are a much better choice than regular flour noodles, as they raise blood sugar more gradually and benefit vascular health, thanks to their rich dietary fiber and rutin content. It is important to check the buckwheat content when purchasing a product.
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