Answer :According to the Whole Grains Council www.wholegrainscouncil.org, buckwheat is neither a grain nor, despite its name, a relative of wheat; botanically, its a cousin of rhubarb. But nutritionally, buckwheat qualifies as a whole grain, so your morning routine is fine. The part of the buckwheat plant that we eat, ground into flour or hulled for groats (called kasha in the US), is indeed the seed. A half-cup of dry buckwheat groats contains 8.4 grams of dietary fiber-more than twice a comparable serving of oatmeal. Buckwheat is also the only whole grain known to have high levels of an antioxidant called rutin that improves blood circulation and may keep LDL cholesterol from blocking blood vessels. People with celiac disease or gluten allergies can safely consume buckwheat, because it contains no gluten.
