Grains and Pulses in Diets of the Middle East and a Focus on Buckwheat

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench and Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn.) is believed to have originated in central Asia. Chiefly cultivated in India, Nepal, China, North Korea, Russia, and Japan, it is a pseudocereal containing high protein, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and important antioxidants and phenolic compounds. In addition to its high protein bioavailability and economic value, it is an important alternative food with high nutritional value, suitable for the diet of celiac patients because it does not contain gluten. Buckwheat has gained worldwide importance because of the presence of some important bioactive constituents such as rutin, orientin, vitexin, quercetin, isovitexin, and isoorientin; other essential components like fagopyritols find vast potential for glycemic control in type 2 diabetics, positive cardiovascular effects, treatment of celiac disease, prevention of gallstones, and several hormone-dependent tumors. Currently, various products of buckwheat like flour, bread, biscuits, cookies, muffins, cakes, pasta, noodles, crackers, chips, and various fermented products and desserts are available in the market. Buckwheat has attracted worldwide attention, especially from food scientists, for its healing effects over chronic diseases. This chapter focuses on buckwheat in diets of the Middle East and its important effects on health.