Health Benefits of Ancient Wheats

Certain health claims and the fact that no genetic modification or commercial cross breeding has been carried out on Australian Spelt are creating a lot of interest in this rediscovered grain.

SPELT
1. A grain from inside a hull, like oats , not like normal wheat. The hull offers good natural protection from insect damage.
2. Higher protein content than normal wheat grown under similar conditions.
3. Slightly better quality in protein than wheat with essential amino acids - lysine, threonine, and methonine.
4. Less glutamic acid /Glutamine than normal wheat - may be related to intolerane to MSG in foods. (Monosodium Glutinate)
5. A pleasant nutty flavour predominately derived from phenolic compounds, not found in normal wheat , which act as natural antioxidants in the body.
6. Less of the proteins (omega gliadins) whose breakdown products cause coeliac disease, compared to normal wheat, but still significant levels of homology with other proteins so as to be problematic for those with confirmed coeliac enteropathy.
7. Excepted that the starch will be metabolised more slowly than normal wheat because of different levels of proteins on the individual starch granules - so lower GI and better for diabetics or those with fluctuating blood sugar levels.
8. There is data to support spelt being significantly higher in sulphur, potassium, niacin (B3), pyridoxide (B6) and beta-catotene.