Grits are very popular in the Southern America. Grits are made of dried corn kernels which have had the germ and hull removed. They are rich in cornmeal. Grits are an American alternative to oatmeal in the morning. You should simmer grits in water, milk or chicken stock because in this way you will cook them. Also you can add cheese or butter for a flavor. In a bowl of grits there are many nutrients, protein and Vitamin B complex which are working together to give you energy to keep you alert.
Health benefits of grits
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Weight loss
Grits can help you to lose weight because they will keep you full for a longer time and they will satisfy your appetite. If you are on a weight loss regimen, then you will benefit a lot of this. This will give you energy very quickly. You should eat a bowl of grits because it will help you to work out for much longer. You should not consume sugar – filled calorific energy bar because it can have side effects in losing your weight. Instead, use grits in your diet. Grits are rich in iron so it can help in the oxygen circulation to the fatigued muscles through blood hemoglobin. As a result of this, you will not tire out easily.
Muscle gain
Grits are rich in leucine. In one serving of grits there are 542 mg of leucine. This is an amino acid which is triggering the protein synthesis and also it enhances the muscle growth. We know that for older people, the muscle loss is a real problem. This is a reason why older people should consume a diet which has a lot of leucine.
Minerals
In one serving of grits there are 1.2 mg of iron and 7 mg of selenium. Iron is present in the hemoglobin which can help to carry the oxygen throughout the body. Also the iron is present in muscles as myoglobin. Iron can help in diffusing the oxygen throughout the muscle cells. If you have iron deficiency, then you can become anemic. When anemia is in advanced stages, then it can lead to renal failure. Grits have selenium which can help to regulate and control the inflammation. This can inhibit the onset of rheumatoid arthritis. Also it can inhibit the onset of rheumatoid arthritis. Grits intake is linked to lower rats of prostate cancer. Also it has Vitamin E which acts as antioxidant and it can prevent the formation of free radicals, thereby preventing sunburns and fighting skin cancer.
Vitamins
Grits are rich in vitamins, especially Vitamin B. In one cup of cooked grits, there are 20% of Vitamin B1, 25% of folate and 1/6 of Vitamin B3 and these are required amounts on daily basis. Grits have Vitamin B complex which is very important for our health. This can help in converting fats and carbohydrates into energy. It is known that the Vitamin B1 is regulating and optimizing cardiovascular functions by producing more acetylcholine which is a neurotransmitter and it relays messages between muscles and brain. It has fatty acids which can protect the health of our eyes and also it will delay the cataract development. Vitamin B3 can treat the insomnia and also it has been used as natural treatment for schizophrenia and depression. This vitamin has the ability to lower cholesterol and triglycerides which can protect your heart from any disease.
Folate
This is an important nutrient which our body needs. It can help to boost the immune system and it is protecting against many diseases, such as anemia and cancer. Folate can help to repair the DNA. It is known fact that every adult needs to consume at least 400 mg of folate on daily basis. The required amount of folate for pregnant women is 600 mg. Many doctors are recommending pregnant women to take folate supplements because they can prevent the neural defects and it can help in the development of myelin sheaths in the fetus. You should eat two to three cups of grits because it will lead to the entire amount of folate which is required.
Fats
In one cup of grits there are 91 calories which is less than that of oatmeal. If you want to lose your weight, then you can replace the morning oatmeal with grits.
