Abstract:
The main objective of this paper is to review the nutritional values and health benefits of teff and its product (injera). Tef (Eragrostis tef) is a very tiny an interesting cereal crop widely cultivated in Ethiopia (where it originated from) mainly to process its grain flour into injera (a traditional fermented Ethiopian pancake, the staple food for the majority of Ethiopians). The nutritional content of teff grain contains high levels of proteins, like grain, wheat, maize, and pearl millet, and higher than rye, brown rice, and sorghum. Teff grain has higher fat content than wheat, rye, and brown rice but less than that of grain, maize, sorghum, and pearl millet. Apart from giving protein and calories, it has high dietary content, including better amino acid composition, predominantly lysine, more mineral content (mostly iron, calcium, phosphorus, and copper) than other cereal grains, contain B1vitamin, phytochemicals (such as polyphenols and phytates) and it is rich in fiber. Because of these properties, teff has many health benefits in preventing anemia, diabetes, osteoporosis, and celiac diseases. The worldwide usage of teff and its products for human consumption has been restrained partially because of minimal knowledge and pieces of information about its nutritional values and the complex processing challenges faced in making teff-based food products. Over the past period, the finding that teff does not contain gluten has raised interest across the globe. As a result, the number of researches and different studies on the nutritional composition, and potential health benefits of teff has increased considerably. Many recent works of the literature suggest that teff contains complex carbohydrates with slowly digestible starch. Current studies about the detailed nutritional value and health benefits of teff are limited. However, the studies were undertaken so far suggest teff has substantial importance to be a functional food for health promotion and disease prevention. On the other hand, further research and deep studies are needed to determine potential health benefits and alternative uses of teff.
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