Spelt Flour
Spelt is one of the oldest cultivated crops in human history and is believed to have first been used approximately 8,000 years ago. Spelt is a variety of grain or cereal that is closely related to wheat. It is actually packed with nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and essential organic compounds that other cereals and forms of wheat don€™t contain, which might explain the renewed interest in spelt.
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Spelt Nutrition Facts
Apart from being a very functional and versatile variety of wheat, spelt is also packed with nutrients that many other kinds of cereal do not contain. [5] It is high in carbohydrates, as you would expect, but the very high levels of protein (21% of the daily recommended intake) and dietary fiber (30% in a single serving!) are very impressive. On top of those important compounds, spelt also contains significant levels of iron, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, selenium, niacin, thiamin, vitamin B6, and folic acid.
Health Benefits of Spelt
1. Facilitates Digestion
The high content of fiber in spelt means that it facilitates healthy digestion in a major way. [6] Dietary fiber helps bulk up the stool and move food through the digestive tract, speeding up the absorption of nutrients and helping reduce conditions like constipation, bloating, cramping, excess gas, diarrhea, and more serious gastrointestinal issues like ulcers. Spelt has one of the highest dietary fiber contents of wheat varieties.
2. Controls Cholesterol Levels
Dietary fiber has a second role in the body, which is to help lower the levels of dangerous cholesterol in the body. Dietary fiber can interact with the cholesterol uptake processes and it also inhibits the absorption of cholesterol from food. [7] In fact, it can specifically target LDL or bad cholesterol and eliminate it from the body to regulate a healthy balance of fatty acids in the body.
3. Improves Blood Circulation
The high levels of iron in spelt combine to significantly boost blood circulation. [8] Iron is essential for the creation of red blood cells. When RBC production is up, there is an increased blood flow throughout the body, which means additional oxygenation to organs and tissues, increased healing, boosted energy levels, and a more functional metabolism. Increased circulation can even increase hair growth, while the iron content prevents anemia.
4. Regulates Hormones
Niacin is one of the essential vitamins that can be found in significant quantities in spelt. [9] Niacin plays a key role in the adrenal glands in the body, particularly in the production of sex hormones. The endocrine system is a sensitive and hugely important aspect of your health and general functioning, so maintaining healthy niacin levels by adding spelt to your diet is a wise choice.
5. Boosts Bone Health
Spelt has an impressive range of essential minerals that are necessary for bone health. [10] These minerals contribute to the development of bone tissue, and by boosting the levels of these minerals in your body, you can actively prevent osteoporosis and other age-related conditions that weaken or degrade the bones in the body.
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