Couscous health benefits

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.

What is couscous?

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.  

Health benefits of couscous

Couscous is connected with a few benefits for health and wellness, including:

• Supports thyroid function

 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

• Encourages heart health 

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

• Better immune health

The selenium in couscous is a potent antioxidant, which studies have shown effectively lowers oxidative stress throughout the body.⁷

• Plant-based protein source

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

Couscous nutrition profile

A generous 165g portion of couscous contains¹²:

Couscous also contains minerals, including calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, B vitamins, and vitamin E.¹³

How to cook with couscous

To enjoy delicious couscous at home, you should:

• Pour your chosen amount into a saucepan or bowl
• Add the same amount of water, at a ratio of 1:1
• Cover the couscous until all the water is absorbed (this typically takes five to ten minutes
• Fluff couscous with a fork

Potential risks of couscous

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