Although spelt flour actually contains beneficial substances and can be a good choice, some of the beliefs about it are greatly exaggerated, writes Healthline.com.
What exactly is spelt?
Spelt is an ancient type of grain, closely related to wheat. It was grown in Europe centuries ago, but over time it was almost completely replaced by common wheat. In recent years, spelt has become popular again as a “healthier” option.
Whole grain spelt products contain a good amount of fiber, which helps you feel full longer.
Nutrition experts explain that spelt actually has slightly more protein, some minerals, and fiber than common wheat. It is rich in manganese, magnesium, zinc, iron, and B vitamins.
Additionally, whole grain spelt products contain a good amount of fiber, which helps you feel full longer and can be beneficial for digestion.
Is spelt healthier than wheat flour?
Here, specialists advise not to follow trends blindly. Although spelt is often presented as a “miracle” product, the difference between it and common wheat is not as big as it may seem from advertisements. The most important factor is not the grain itself, but whether the product is whole grain.
Studies show that consuming whole grain products in general is associated with a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.
However, this applies not only to spelt flour. In other words, whole grain wheat bread can be a much better choice than white spelt bread.
The biggest myth: spelt flour is gluten-free
One of the most common myths is that spelt flour is suitable for people who are gluten intolerant.
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In reality, spelt is a type of wheat and contains gluten. Therefore, it is not suitable for people with celiac disease or those diagnosed with gluten sensitivity.
Some people claim that spelt is easier to digest than common wheat, but scientists emphasize that this is very individual.
Who might spelt not suit?
Spelt flour can cause problems for some people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This is because spelt contains so-called FODMAP carbohydrates, which can cause bloating, pain, or other digestive issues in some people.
However, specialists note that fermented spelt bread products may be easier for some people to tolerate.
Nutrition experts agree that spelt can be a good and varied part of the diet, but one should not expect miracles from it.
If a person likes the taste of spelt, chooses whole grain products, and feels good eating them, it can be a quite beneficial choice. But thinking that spelt flour alone will automatically make the diet healthy would be a mistake.
Overall dietary habits are important: the more whole grain products, the less processed food, and more variety on the plate.
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