Health promising prospects of black wheat flour
Health promising prospects of black wheat flour
- Black wheat is richer in all nutrients compared to yellow wheat.
- Bioactive compounds are more in black wheat than yellow wheat.
- Consumption of black wheat reduces various diseases in humans.
- Gluten strength is sufficient for the development of bakery products.
The main nutritional components of this super-food are:
- Anthocyanins
- Antioxidants
- High in Iron
- Vitamins- Infused with vitamins such as Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and B9.
- Minerals include zinc, selenium, manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, copper, and phosphorus.
- Good sources of Amino Acids, that aid in tissue formation and body-building.
- Folic acid
- Dietary fibers
Background
Black wheat is a variety of pigmented wheat developed by crossing purple and blue wheat. The anthocyanin present in the outer layer is responsible for the black color of wheat grain. It consists of numerous nutritional and bioactive compounds including phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, carotenoids, phytic acid essential amino acids, dietary fibers, vitamins and minerals..
Key findings and conclusions
Black wheat (BW) possesses higher protein content, dietary fiber, calcium, Vitamin K, and antioxidants. The TPC of BW is six times higher than yellow wheat with the most abundant phenolic acid being ferulic acid. Around 225 metabolites mainly belonging to flavonoids, group differs between black and yellow wheat and are responsible for their color difference. The expression of structural genes namely TaCHI, TaDFR, TaF3H, TaUGT, TaANS, and TaMT was highest in Black Wheat than in other pigmented and conventional wheat varieties. Consumption of whole Black Wheat Flour led to the prevention of cardiovascular disease, inflammation, cancer, diabetes, obesity, aging, and ample bowel protection. Clinical trials have revealed that enhancement of interleukin (IL)-6 induced due to type 2 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α diabetes mellitus was prevented by the BW diet. Nutrient and bioactive compound-rich BW offers great potential to develop healthy functional food.
HOW TO INCLUDE IT IN YOUR DAILY DIET?
A wonderful superfood with endless nutritional benefits and boons, black wheat flour can be used as a substitute in almost all such food items that have white flour, maida, besan, or any other such item as its base. Thus, it can be easily used to make uttapams, chillas, cookies, idlis, and rotis. Even for dessert, the black wheat halwa can be both a game and taste changer, and for good!
Black wheat flour is a simple grain but packed with extraordinary health benefits. A mere switch to it today can improve your health markedly as well as ensure that these benefits still last you in the long run!
