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Couscous is eaten all across North Africa but is particularly popular in Morocco, served as a side dish to deep and spicy tagines. Couscous made from semolina and is essentially North Africa’s answer to pasta.
You can purchase varieties of couscous made with whole grains instead of wheat derivatives, including spelt and barley. Giant couscous is much larger than your standard beads of couscous, equally enjoyed across Northern Africa and the Levant.
Couscous is made from semolina flour combined with water, like Italian egg-free pasta. There are three couscous varieties: standard couscous from Morocco, pearl couscous from Palestine, and giant couscous from Lebanon.
Couscous is connected with a few benefits for health and wellness, including:
One portion of couscous provides more than 60% of your daily allowance of the mineral selenium.1 Scientific studies have proven that selenium helps protect the thyroid from oxidative stress and damage.2,3,4
Selenium is a potent mineral. Just one portion of couscous will help you meet over half of your recommended daily allowance. Scientific evidence suggests that selenium improves cholesterol levels and reduces oxidative stress throughout the body.5,6
The selenium in couscous is a potent antioxidant, which studies have shown effectively lowers oxidative stress throughout the body.7
The human body is as much as 20% protein, and we need protein for cells in the body to grow and repair.8 An average portion of couscous contains 6g of plant-based protein. Plant-based proteins are associated with a decreased likelihood of developing age-related diseases.9,10,11
A generous 165g portion of couscous contains12:
Energy | Fat | Sodium | Carbs | Fibre | Sugar | Protein |
174 kcal | 0g | 13mg | 36g | 2g | 0g | 6g |
Couscous also contains minerals, including calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, B vitamins, and vitamin E.13
To enjoy delicious couscous at home, you should:
Couscous is made of semolina flour, derived from wheat, which means that, unfortunately, couscous is not gluten-free. People who are coeliac or intolerant should skip gluten to avoid gas, bloating, diarrhoea, or other digestive troubles.14,15
Last updated: 1 March 2021
Joined Holland & Barrett: Apr 2019
Masters Degree in Toxicology and BSc Hons in Medical Biochemistry
Bhupesh started his career as a Clinical Toxicologist for Public Health England, advising healthcare professionals all around the country on how to manage clinical cases of adverse exposure to supplements, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, industrial chemicals and agricultural products.
After 7 years in this role and a further year working as a drug safety officer in the pharmaceutical industry, Bhupesh joined Holland & Barrett as a Senior Regulatory Affairs Associate in 2019.