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Types of Wheat and Their Nutritional Values

Types of wheat and their nutritional values

“Good nutrition creates health in all areas of our existence.” - T. Collin Campbell 

Through this blog, we shall try to understand the different types of wheat and look at one of the best quality wheat variety in india. Wheat is one of the most widely consumed cereal grains on the planet.

What is Wheat? 

It comes from a type of grass (Triticum) that is produced in a variety of forms all over the world. The predominant species is bread wheat, sometimes known as common wheat. Durum, spelt, emmer, einkorn, and Khorasan wheat are all closely related species.

In baked items like bread, white and whole-wheat flour are essential ingredients. Pasta, noodles, semolina, bulgur, and couscous are all wheat-based meals. Let’s have a look at one of the best quality wheat variety in india. 

Wheat is divisive because it includes gluten, a protein that can elicit a damaging immunological reaction in those who are prone to it.

Nutritional information of the best quality wheat variety in India.

Wheat is primarily made up of carbohydrates, although it also contains a moderate amount of protein. Since we’re studying one of the best quality wheat varieties in India, we should also know about the nutritional value. In all the best quality wheat varieties in India, these components will be there. Brands like India Gate assure you the goodness of all the nutrients in their products.  

According to healthline.com, the nutritional information for 3.5 ounces (100 grammes) of whole-grain wheat flour is listed below.

  • Calories: 340
  • Water: 11%
  • Protein: 13.2 grams
  • Carbs: 72 grams
  • Sugar: 0.4 grams
  • Fiber: 10.7 grams
  • Fat: 2.5 grams

Carbs - 

Wheat, like all cereal grains, is mostly made up of carbohydrates.

In the plant kingdom, starch is the most common carb, accounting for more than 90% of the total carb content in wheat.

The digestibility of starch impacts its effect on blood sugar levels, which dictates its health impacts.

High digestibility can lead to an unhealthy surge in blood sugar after a meal, which can be damaging to one's health, particularly for diabetics.

Both white and whole wheat, like white rice and potatoes, have a high glycemic index (GI), making them inappropriate for diabetics.

Fibre - 

Whole wheat has a lot of fibre, but processed wheat has nearly none.

Whole-grain wheat has a fibre level of 12–15 percent by dry weight. Fibers are removed during the milling process because they are concentrated in the bran, and refined flour is largely devoid of them.

Arabinoxylan, a kind of hemicellulose, is the predominant fibre in wheat bran (70 percent). Cellulose makes up the majority of the rest 

The majority of wheat fibre is insoluble, which means it passes through your digestive system nearly undamaged, adding bulk to your stool. Some fibres also provide food for the bacteria in your gut.

Protein - 

Protein accounts for 7–22% of the dry weight of wheat.

Gluten is a major protein family that accounts for up to 80% of total protein composition. It's responsible for wheat dough's particular elasticity and stickiness, which make it so valuable in breadmaking.

Gluten sensitivity can have negative health consequences for those who consume wheat gluten.

Let us first learn about the various types of wheat grown in India that are used to make a variety of flours, and then we'll look at the characteristics of the best atta variety.

Types of Wheat in India 

There are various kinds of wheat in India, and brands like India Gate try to incorporate all these types to cater to the needs of India's diverse population. 

  • Wheat Khapli

India is the world's largest producer of Khapli wheat, also known as Samba, Emmer, or Diabetic wheat. It is one of the best quality wheat variety in India. 

It has a lot of healing characteristics that can help with heart disease and diabetes. It has the ability to lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels, making it ideal for people who are trying to lose weight or are simply concerned about their health. Chapati produced with khapli wheat is high in dietary fibres and can help you stay fuller for longer.

  • Wheat Sharbati

This wheat is grown exclusively in the Sehore district of Madhya Pradesh. The region's soil is high in potassium and receives sufficient rainfall, resulting in a golden wheat grain with higher protein content than other wheat varieties. The grains are heavier and have a nutty flavour, resulting in soft, pleasant, and healthy chapatis.

  • ​Common bread wheat

This is the most prevalent wheat variety produced not just in India, but all around the world. It is high in protein and can be used to make puffy flatbreads (chapati). This is the best wheat variety for chapati. Due to its round and small grains, India has its own strain of common bread wheat called as Indian dwarf wheat. When compared to similar grains cultivated in the United States, it is lighter in colour and has a milder flavour. Their nutritional profiles, on the other hand, do not differ significantly.

  • Wheat Durum

Durum wheat, often known as pasta wheat or macaroni wheat, is grown in India. It is also one of the best quality wheat variety in India. 

This is because the coarse wheat grains are ground into semolina, which is then shaped into pasta, noodles, macaroni, and other products. It has a high gluten content and a nutritional profile similar to typical bread wheat. However, durum wheat flour is not appropriate for creating bread because it lacks sufficient starch to ferment and rise.

  • Steel milling vs. stone milling

When wheat kernels are crushed with steel rollers to manufacture atta, the rollers generate heat, which can destroy the bran and germ. This depletes the flour of important minerals and vitamins. It is better to mill wheat using stone grinders, or chakki as they are known in India, because it preserves the germ of the wheat and provides wheat flour that is nutrient-dense.

  • The way to go is organic, whole-wheat, and stone-grind!

Because whole wheat has the bran, husk, and endosperm, it is superior to plain wheat flour. Many types of wheat flours have the husk and bran removed, depriving them of many nutrients, dietary fibres, minerals, and vitamins. Whole wheat grown organically is grown as naturally as possible, without the use of hazardous pesticides and fertilisers. As a result, stone-ground and organic whole wheat atta, regardless of wheat variety, is the best option.

Health benefits - 

  • Good Gut Health - 

The best quality wheat variety in India also has health benefits. Brands like India Gate Atta also enable you to have good health. 

Insoluble fibre is abundant in whole-grain wheat, which is concentrated in the bran. Wheat bran components have been shown in studies to work as prebiotics, feeding some of the good bacteria in your stomach.The majority of the bran, on the other hand, travels nearly unaltered through your digestive system, adding bulk to your stool. Wheat bran may also help to speed up the passage of undigested food through your digestive tract.

  • Colon cancer prevention - 

The most common type of digestive tract cancer is colon cancer. Whole grains, including whole wheat, are linked to a lower risk of colon cancer in observational studies. According to one observational study, persons who eat low-fiber diets could reduce their risk of colon cancer by 40% by eating more fibre. Randomized controlled experiments back this up, however not all of them found a significant protective impact. Overall, whole wheat is high in fibre and contains a variety of antioxidants and phytonutrients that may help to lower your risk of colon cancer.

Read More on benefits of wheat flour.

Wheat is not just one of the most widely consumed foods on the planet, but it is also one of the most talked about.  Moderate consumption of fiber-rich whole wheat, on the other hand, may be beneficial to those who can stomach it, as it may aid digestion and help prevent colon cancer. If you consume wheat breads, baked goods, and other wheat products in moderation, it is unlikely to impair your health. Finally, we hope we’ve made it easier for you to determine the best variety of wheat. We recommend products by India Gate as they’re completely packed with nutrition and have a wide range of products.