In recent years, nutritionists are increasingly recalling such an ancient forgotten cereal like spelled. This ancestor of all modern varieties of wheat is mentioned in the Bible, and our great-grandfathers actively cultivated it until the 20th century. Today more and more often you can meet people who adhere to a healthy lifestyle, and it is important for them to know if there is a difference between spelled and wheat, and what it consists of.

Spelled and wheat - what is it

Spelled is otherwise called wild wheat, spelled, one-corn and two-corn. This culture belongs to the cereal family, and contains a large number of nutrients with low calorie content. Cereal is extremely unpretentious to climatic conditions, fungal disease and soil composition, and also differs in its early maturity.

Among other things, the culture has good resistance to radiation and chemical contamination. The spelled ear is small compared to modern wheat varieties, and very fragile. Grains are small with a reddish tint.

Wheat is a grassy cereal that is the main food crop worldwide. It is divided into hard and soft varieties, is very demanding on the composition and moisture of the soil, and can be affected by fungal diseases.

What is the difference between spelled and regular wheat

The main difference between spelled and wheat is that spelled is extremely unpretentious. However, wheat is very machinable. That is why since the beginning of the twentieth century, wheat has almost everywhere replaced its useful progenitor. In addition, the yield of modern wheat varieties is much higher than that of wild spelled, and the cultivation of new species has made the culture more resistant to frost, drought and disease.

Important! The disadvantage of cereal is the poor extortion of grains from the ear, which complicates the processing of dow groats.

In Europe and America, spelled is much more common than in Russia. It is cultivated almost everywhere, since it, unlike wheat, grows everywhere, even on rocky soils, high above sea level, under the scorching sun.

According to nutritionists, spelling is much more beneficial for the human body than wheat. It is especially recommended for people with high blood cholesterol and overweight, as well as athletes, pregnant women, children during the growth period and people leading a healthy lifestyle. Spelled contains up to 37% of useful protein, which exceeds the content of this substance in chicken eggs, as well as many useful trace elements and vitamins. Characteristically, spelled retains these irreplaceable properties even with the finest grinding.

Chemical composition

If we talk about the chemical composition of spelled, then it is extremely wide. The calorie content of boiled spelled is much less - 127 kcal per 100 g.

Thus, the energy value of cereal in its raw form is 337 kcal per 100 g, of which:

• proteins: 14.7 g;
• fats: 2.2 g;
• carbohydrates: 62.2 g.

The energy value of raw wheat grains is almost the same as that of spelled - 339 kcal, only the amount of BJU differs:

• proteins: 13.7 g;
• fats: 2.5 g;
• carbohydrates: 71.1 g.

Did you know? Spelled has the simplest genetic code among its own kind. Her kit contains only 14 chromosomes.

The spelled contains the following elements:

1. Zinc, which is necessary for the proper breakdown of carbohydrates, and is also used in the prevention of anemia and cirrhosis.
2. Copper. Participates in the processes of assimilation of proteins and carbohydrates, is responsible for the saturation of body tissues with oxygen, is an excellent tool for preventing the development of vascular and heart diseases.
3. Iron. Provides normal redox reactions in the human body, maintains the level of hemoglobin at the proper level.
4. Selenium. Responsible for immunity.
5. Manganese. It is necessary for the proper formation of bone and connective tissue, is a regulator of the metabolism of carbohydrates and amino acids, and regulates the reproductive system.
6. Phosphorus. It is important for proper energy metabolism, participates in the mineralization of teeth and bones, and is used to prevent rickets and anemia.
7. Potassium. It provides nerve impulses, and is also responsible for water, electrolyte and acid metabolism.
8. Vitamin PP. An element necessary to maintain the beauty of the skin. In addition, it normalizes metabolism.
9. Vitamin B1. Provides the body with vital energy, and is also responsible for the work of the heart, blood vessels and gastrointestinal tract.
10. Vitamin B6. Indispensable for the full functioning of the central nervous system, the formation of immunity and healthy synthesis of blood cells.
11. Vitamin B5. Used by the body for the normal absorption of proteins, carbohydrates and fats, ensures the proper functioning of the adrenal cortex, the production of hormones.
12. Vitamin B9. It is especially necessary for pregnant women, since it is he who is responsible for the normal development of the neural tube of the baby, as well as for the prevention of fetal malformations. In addition, the substance provides a complete division of bone marrow cells.

What is more useful

Recently, the fascination with spelled has become simply rampant. Not the least role is played by the followers of healthy lifestyle, who call this cereal a real “black caviar” among other cultures.Skeptics claim that in terms of its nutritional qualities this product is not too different from the more familiar wheat. So, for example, they see no difference between flour made from spelled and whole wheat. It has been said more than once that spelled practically does not contain gluten, which makes it indispensable in the nutrition of people with intolerance to this product, for example, patients with celiac disease.

Important! Gluten is not only present in spelled, but also contained in a fairly large amount, therefore, is not suitable for nutrition of people with gluten intolerance.

If we talk about the use of cereals for weight loss, the glycemic index of modern varieties of wheat and spelled is almost the same, and increases with the clarification of grain. The content of zinc and protein, as well as plant fiber, is significantly higher in spelled.

In order for spelled, like wheat, to be beneficial, and not overweight, one and the other cereal should be used in the whole-grain version. In this case, cereals will be most useful for the body. The most valuable option for eating spelled is the inclusion of sprouted seeds in the diet. However, sprouted wheat grains will be no less useful in this case than wild cereal.

Comparing the beneficial qualities of two cultures is like trying to figure out which is better, for example, pearl barley or buckwheat. Each of the cereals has its inherent both useful and harmful properties. The cost of spelled is significantly different from the price of wheat - it is almost 4 times higher.

Which product is better to use

The question of which cereal is best to eat cannot be answered unambiguously. So, people who monitor their diet and especially lose weight, it is better to include in the diet spelled groats or dishes from coarse flour. A good option for dieters will be spelled porridge with minimal cream, as well as cereal soup, which, in addition to spelled, can be added lean meat and vegetables.

No matter how useful spelling is, it will never turn out so tender and airy baking, as from soft varieties of wheat. Therefore, lovers of cakes and pastries, averse to fullness, are quite allowed to eat any kind of wheat.

It is possible that the useful properties of spelled are very exaggerated by fans of healthy lifestyle, and the use of this cereal in food is nothing but a tribute to the latest fashion trends. Whether to include this cereal in your diet or to remain faithful to wheat, everyone decides for himself, given the state of his health and the size of his wallet.