Fonio is an ancient grain that has been used for centuries in Africa and Asia. It is high in protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.


Learn about its health benefits, how it works, and what it can do for your body.

Fonio is a gluten-free grain with a nutty flavor and texture. It contains more than twice as much protein as other grains and is rich in essential amino acids. It also provides a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin B6, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and selenium.


What Makes Fonio So Special?

Fonio has been used by people throughout history for its nutritional benefits. Ancient Egyptians ate fonio bread and porridge made from it. In fact, fonio was one of the first foods cultivated by humans. Today, fonio is still grown in Ethiopia, where it is known as “the mother grain.”


The Science Behind Fonio

Fonio contains high levels of protein, fiber, iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin B6, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, folate, pantothenic acid, biotin, copper, manganese, selenium, and vitamins A and C. These nutrients help support healthy skin, hair, nails, bones, teeth, muscles, and joints.


How Does Fonio Work?

Fonio is made up of two different proteins called gliadin and glutenins. Gluten is found in wheat, barley, rye, and oats. Gluten is responsible for causing celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that damages the small intestine when consumed by people who have not been diagnosed with celiac disease. People with celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten because it triggers an immune response that damages the villi (the fingerlike projections) of the small intestine. This damage prevents the absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream.


Fonio's Health & Wellness Benefits

Fonio has been used as a food supplement for centuries. In fact, it was first discovered in Ethiopia and later brought to Europe during the Middle Ages. Today, fonio is still being produced in Ethiopia, where it is known as "injera."



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Fonio has been an important crop in some parts of Africa because it is highly nutritious, it grows very quickly and it can be grown on dry land where other crops won’t grow.

Fonio is now gaining a reputation as a superfood but, until few years ago, it had been very difficult to mass produce it because the grain’s tiny size made too difficult to remove the husk. Nowadays, however, modern equipment facilitates the dehusking and the grain is getting far more readily available.

Fonio has more nutritional value than most other grains and it is rich in calcium, magnesium and zinc and vitamin B.

Here are 10 of the amazing health benefits of Fonio that everyone is talking about:

1. Naturally gluten-free

Gluten intolerance and celiac disease are on the rise in many parts of the world and the only way of treating it, is to not eat foods that contain gluten. Fonio is gluten free and it doesn’t contain any of the proteins that are found in gluten, so it is perfectly safe to eat if you do have celiac disease.

2. Healthy hearth

Wholegrains are considered to be essential for the health of the heart and the cardiovascular system, and Fonio is no exception to that. If fact, Fonio contains even more of the heart friendly vitamins and minerals than other grains do and including Fonio in your diet will help to the reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

3. Controls diabetes

Fonio has a very low glycemic index, so it is absorbed into the body slowly and doesn’t cause spikes in the blood sugar levels that other refined grains do. It also contains sulphur, chromium and amino acids that help to control diabetes and studies have indicated that eating Fonio might be a way to control blood sugar levels in diabetics.

4. Aids digestion

Fonio is very easy to digest and, given its such high fibre content, it also passes easily through the body and will ease constipation and improve the digestive process.

5. Aids wight loss

Because of its low glycemic index and its high fibre content, Fonio can also be a very useful food to eat when you are trying to lose some weight. It will fill you up fast and keep you feeling full for some time. Its steady release of energy will also help to avoid food cravings after a meal as well.

6. Helps to prevent anaemia

Fonio has a high concentration of iron, so it helps against anaemia and it also contains folic acid and other amino acids that are beneficial for women during pregnancy.

7. Detox diet

The essential amino acids that Fonio contains, especially cystine and methionine, help to detoxify the liver and the body. They help the liver to function properly and remove unwanted toxins from the bloodstream. Early studies have suggested that eating Fonio may help to prevent liver diseases.

8. Provides energy

Fonio is a great source of energy. Unlike foods that give you a spike in energy and leave you feeling tired a bit later, Fonio is easily digested and then provides you with a slow release of energy that will last till your next meal. That, along with its great taste, is why it is starting to become popular on the Western culture tables.

9. Strengthens nails and hair

Fonio contains an amino acid called methionine, which is known to be important for the body’s production of cartilage and it can also help to strengthen the hair and nails. As well as strengthening the hair, which will help stop breakage, it is also believed to be able to help stop hair loss too.

10. Strong bones and teeth

Fonio is also a good source of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, all of which help to build strong bones and teeth. That makes it an ideal food for growing children and a food that will help stop bone diseases like osteoporosis in old age too.

Actually Fonio’s properties look like the nutrition facts label of a food supplement bottle, that’s why Fonio deserves its reputation as a superfood.