BUCKWHEAT: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews (2024)

Overview

Buckwheat is a plant. People make flour from the outer shell of the seeds. This flour can be used either as food (usually in bread, pancakes, and noodles) or as medicine.

Buckwheat is used for diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, varicose veins, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

How does it work ?

Buckwheat might help people with diabetes by slowing the break-down of some foods into sugar and improving how well the body deals with blood sugar.

Buckwheat might help people with diabetes by slowing the break-down of some foods into sugar and improving how well the body deals with blood sugar.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Heart disease. Taking buckwheat might lower some markers of heart disease, including cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar in people who are healthy or those with diabetes or high cholesterol. But buckwheat doesn't seem to improve blood pressure, body weight, or other types of cholesterol. It's unknown if buckwheat lowers the chance of death, heart attack, or stroke in people with heart disease.
  • Poor circulation that can cause the legs to swell (chronic venous insufficiency or CVI). Early research shows that drinking buckwheat tea might prevent leg swelling from getting worse in people with circulation problems.
  • Diabetes. Early research shows that replacing a portion of white flour or rice in foods with buckwheat lowers fastinginsulin levels in people with diabetes. But it doesn't improve fasting blood sugar or average blood sugar.
  • Vision problems in people with diabetes (diabetic retinopathy). Early research shows that taking buckwheat does not improve vision in people with visions problems due to diabetes.
  • Constipation.
  • Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).
  • High blood pressure.
  • High cholesterol.
  • Obesity.
  • Varicose veins.
  • Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of buckwheat for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Buckwheat is POSSIBLY SAFE for adults when taken by mouth as a medicine. Buckwheat can cause allergic reactions in some people.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Buckwheat is POSSIBLY SAFE for adults when taken by mouth as a medicine. Buckwheat can cause allergic reactions in some people. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if buckwheat is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Buckwheat allergy: Some people who are exposed to buckwheat on the job develop buckwheat allergy. Other people can also become allergic to buckwheat. Re-exposure to buckwheat can lead to serious allergic reactions including skin rash; runny nose; asthma; and a potentially fatal drop in blood pressure, itching, swelling, and difficulty in breathing (anaphylactic shock).

Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity: Some people used to think that including buckwheat in a gluten-free diet might not be safe. However, buckwheat is considered an acceptable food by the Celiac Disease Foundation and the Gluten Intolerance Group. Unless someone is allergic to buckwheat, people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity can eat buckwheat produced in a facility free of gluten safely.

Allergies to latex or other foods, including rice: Some people who are allergic to rice might also become allergic to buckwheat.

Interactions ?

We currently have no information for BUCKWHEAT overview.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of buckwheat for use as treatment depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for buckwheat. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circ*mstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.

BUCKWHEAT: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews (2024)

FAQs

Are there any side effects from eating buckwheat? ›

Some people might have an allergic reaction to buckwheat. This is rare but can occur. Swelling in the mouth, hives, and trouble breathing.

Who should not eat buckwheat? ›

Unless someone is allergic to buckwheat, people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity can eat buckwheat produced in a facility free of gluten safely. Allergies to latex or other foods, including rice: Some people who are allergic to rice might also become allergic to buckwheat.

What are the pros and cons of buckwheat? ›

Buckwheat contains a decent amount of fiber and plant compounds with antioxidant properties which may help support heart health and reduce blood sugar. It may cause allergic reactions in some people. Buckwheat belongs to a group of foods commonly called pseudocereals.

Is it safe to eat buckwheat everyday? ›

Buckwheat is generally safe to consume and should not cause side effects in most people. It is possible for buckwheat to cause a reaction in people with buckwheat allergies. They may experience symptoms, such as swelling in the mouth, or hives, when consuming buckwheat.

Is buckwheat an inflammatory food? ›

Buckwheat contains phytochemicals, rutin and quercetin, which have antioxidant effects and reduce inflammation. These chemicals protect your cells against free radicals and prevent inflammation that can contribute to chronic diseases like cancer.

Can buckwheat cause digestive issues? ›

Symptoms may involve the skin, gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, and respiratory tract, and may include one or more of the following: Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps. Hives (allergic urticaria), itching, eczema.

What is the toxin in buckwheat? ›

The basic problem with buckwheat greens is that they contain fa*gopyrin, a naturally occurring substance in the buckwheat plant. When ingested in sufficient quantity, fa*gopyrin is known to cause the skin of animals and people to become phototoxic, which is to say hypersensitive to sunlight.

Which is better for you, oatmeal or buckwheat? ›

Nutrition: Both are healthy in different ways, though buckwheat contains more fiber, and less fat than oatmeal. While they are both naturally gluten-free, oats are often processed in facilities that process wheat leading to potential cross-contamination.

Is buckwheat OK for kidneys? ›

Buckwheat

Whole grains are typically high in phosphorus, but buckwheat is an exception. Buckwheat is a good source of fiber, magnesium, and iron. If you have chronic kidney disease and are looking for a healthy whole grain to add to your diet, give buckwheat a try.

What is healthier than buckwheat? ›

Rice may be better than buckwheat for a weight loss diet. Brown rice is better than white rice because the nutritional value is preserved in brown rice, brown rice has fiber content.

What are 3 facts about buckwheat? ›

Buckwheat is rarely affected by pests, and in fact will attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs. Bees go wild for buckwheat — molasses-like buckwheat honey is dark, rich and prized by chefs. Farmers have traditionally employed buckwheat as a “green manure” crop, returning mature buckwheat plants back into the soil.

Does buckwheat affect hormones? ›

Hemp and buckwheat are valuable sources of dietary amino acids, beneficially modulating gastrointestinal hormones and promoting satiety in healthy volunteers.

Does buckwheat spike blood sugar? ›

May improve blood sugar and diabetes: "Buckwheat may help improve blood sugar and manage diabetes because it provides a good source of fiber and has a low to medium glycemic index," says Barykoumb. "This means that it is absorbed slowly and doesn't result in high blood sugar spikes.

How to avoid buckwheat? ›

Avoiding buckwheat is vital for anyone allergic to it. Read ingredient lists of food labels every time you shop. When eating out or buying takeaway food, question staff very directly, asking to speak to the chef if any doubt remains.

Does cooking buckwheat destroy nutrients? ›

Boiling for 30 min in 2:1 (water:groats) ratio does not affect the nutritional properties of buckwheat groats in any negative way. It should be emphasized that this is the recommended way of cooking buckwheat groats.

Can you be sensitive to buckwheat? ›

Buckwheat allergy is an immediate hypersensitivity reaction that includes anaphylaxis mediated by specific IgE antibodies. Several IgE-binding proteins in common buckwheat have been reported to be possible clinically relevant buckwheat allergens.

Is buckwheat hard to digest? ›

Individuals with compromised digestion may find high FODMAP foods difficult to digest, experiencing symptoms of cramping, diarrhoea, constipation and gas. Buckwheat groats are a low FODMAP grain and therefore can be easily digested and enjoyed by those who are following or mindful of FODMAPs in their diet.

What does buckwheat do for your body? ›

Buckwheat is rich in fiber. Fiber allows for regular bowel movements and reduces the potential for experiencing symptoms such as constipation. A diet high in fiber is sure to protect your digestive health. Buckwheat can play a valuable role in controlling blood sugar levels.

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