Tag Archives: einkorn flour

Antioxidants in Einkorn Better Preserved In Baking Process

If there were a single change to our daily diet that would significantly increase our daily antioxidant intake, what would that change be?  Eat einkorn bread.

Einkorn Flour with Dried Tomatoes and Garlic

Einkorn's Superior Antioxidant Levels Preserved

I came across some very interesting researcha recently regarding the loss of antioxidants (specifically carotenoids) during the food processing process in the production of bread, water biscuits and pasta.   The flours they studied?  There were three: Einkorn, bread wheat, and durum wheat semolina.

In all three flours, antioxidant levels decreased significantly through the processing stages but einkorn was significantly more successful at preserving its high antioxidant levels through the entire baking process than the other flours.  I thought that was interesting.

You may remember my former post about einkorn nutrition, when I shared some information about einkorn’s superior antioxidant attributes:

  • Einkorn contains 3 to 4 times more beta-carotene than modern wheats (Boosts immunity, helps prevent cancer and heart disease)
  • Einkorn contains 35 times more Vitamin A than modern wheats (Healthy eyes, reproductive organs and prevention of many cancers)
  • Einkorn contains 3 to 4 times more lutein than modern wheats (Prevention of macular degeneration and cataracts)
  • Einkorn contains 4-5 times more riboflavin than modern wheats (Used by the body to create energy and is an antioxidant that slows aging)

Not only are antioxidants much higher in einkorn compared with other grains but now, with the results of this recent study, we learn that einkorn’s carotenoid levels are also better preserved in the bread making process, making it an ideal candidate for improving our modernized diets.

Can you imagine the effect it would have on the health of a child if he or should could grow up eating this ancient einkorn wheat?  The more I think about the impact, the more I realize the need to increase the production of this crop and get it into the hands of more people throughout the world.

References:
a doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2010.01.034

Is Einkorn Gluten Free?

If you’re asking yourself whether Einkorn contains gluten, the answer is “Yes, it absolutely does!”…but I have a secret to tell you.  And I should probably disclose that this is not something your “everyday family doctor” is going to tell you.  Here’s the secret: not all wheat gluten is created equal.

blueberry_pancakes

Tasty Pancakes with Blueberry Syrup

I like to explain by comparing sucanat and aspartame sweeteners.   Imagine pouring a perfectly sweetened blueberry syrup over your hot-off-the-stove pancakes for your morning breakfast.  If that syrup is made from natural sucanat sweetener or aspartame, it’s going to taste great either way.  However, inside your body, the aspartame is killing brain cells while the sucanat is an unmodified substance that most people’s body can process naturally, without any damage to the body.

Einkorn has an entirely different genetic makeup than modern wheat.  Modern wheats have been hybridized through years and years and millions and millions of $$$ in research.  The goal of hybridization has been to increase yields, fight against plant disease, pests, weather conditions, etc. and many are starting to wonder if this long history of hybridization is the explanation for the rising number of people with a high intolerance to gluten.

I’m not saying I have all the answers…that’s why I have this website and it’s why I am researching the history and nutritional properties of Einkorn.

Einkorn differs from modern wheat in 3 important ways, all of which may contribute to gluten intolerance:

  • Most modern wheat is a hybrid of many different grains and grasses.
  • Einkorn has a 14 chromosomes , whereas modern wheat has a 42 chromosomes which changes the gluten structure
  • Einkorn is considered more nutritious than modern wheat, based on the higher level of protein, essential fatty acids, phosphorous, potassium, pyridoxine, and beta-carotene.

Is it any wonder that so many people today are plagued with allergies and even extreme sickness as a result of eating modern wheat?



Anyway, getting back to the original question of whether Einkorn flour contains gluten.  Most people ask this question because they would like to start eating bread again.  I hope my answer gives you some hope.

Additionally, I have met some doctors who are working with suffers of celiac and gluten intolerance to see if they can safely eat specific, tested sources of Einkorn.  These patients are going through a healing regimen first to get to this point and the initial results are very promising.

Stay tuned…I think we’re on to something here.