Buckwheat Diet

Every year, a whole host of new diet books hit the shelves, and new fad diets explode in popularity. It can be difficult to differentiate between which diets are safe and effective and which are not. It is important to do your research and talk to your doctor before starting any kind of diet, especially a diet that consists primarily of one type of food.

The buckwheat diet is considered a mono diet. A mono diet substitutes all other foods with a single food item, meaning that you can eat nothing but buckwheat for three meals per day. However, the website The Real Diet says that you can drink kefir or green tea along with your buckwheat. The mono diet is considered a detoxification diet, according to the website Diet.com, with a normal duration of 10 to 14 days, but it has also been shown to help with weight loss.

Detox diets, as they're known, are primarily used to remove toxic substances from the body in order to increase energy and encourage overall health. They are not typically used to lose weight, but a two-week buckwheat diet has been said to make losing eight to 20 lbs. a possibility. Buckwheat is also gluten-free.

Detox or mono diets are thought to purify the body and lead to better organ function. This helps with increasing energy, mental clarity, better skin, and better digestion. And according to the website Live and Feel, buckwheat has been linked to a reduced risk for high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Buckwheat contains flavonoids that act as antioxidants and help the body fight off disease, according to a study found in the "Journal of the American Oil Chemist's Society." Buckwheat can also help open blood vessels and increase blood flow.

While technically you are only supposed to eat buckwheat exclusively while on a buckwheat diet, the website The Real Diet says that you can also drink kefir and green tea without sugar. Kefir is similar to milk. You should also drink water.

The buckwheat groats, or grains, can be roasted and eaten as a cereal. Raw buckwheat can also be boiled, steamed, and cooked using the absorption method. Buckwheat porridge is also an option. To make, simply add boiling water to buckwheat and allow it to soak overnight. You can use a food processor to make the buckwheat smooth. This is a tasty alternative to oatmeal. You can also eat the buckwheat as-is after soaking it overnight.

Detox or mono diets can be detrimental to your health. And although buckwheat has many health benefits, eating only one food item for an extended period of time can deprive your body of vital nutrients that it needs to function properly. Consult your doctor before starting any mono diet, especially if you have a preexisting health condition. For example, blood glucose levels will drop considerably on a buckwheat diet, which could cause serious health problems for people with diabetes.