The functional ingredients of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) and physiological effects of consuming quinoa: A review

Abstract The seed of quinoa ( Chenopodium quinoa ) is a pseudocereal well known for its high nutritive value. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the potential for it to be used as a functional food. The nutritional composition, phytochemicals, and experimental evidence on its bioactivities are introduced to evaluate the physiological effects of consuming quinoa, including its antioxidant, hypolipidemic, immunomodulatory, weight‐regulating, hypoglycemic, hypotensive, probiotic, antitumor, and hormone‐regulating effects. The antinutrients, allergenicity, and toxicity of quinoa are then discussed. Overall, many studies and evidences have suggested the functional properties of quinoa, with most of them focusing on the antioxidant and hypolipidemic ability. Compared with the potential benefits, the risk of consuming quinoa is relatively low and easy to be managed. Therefore, quinoa can be considered to have great potential to be promoted as a healthy/functional food. More investigations are needed to confirm the effective intake of quinoa for achieving certain health effects.