Durum Flour is the only tetraploid species of wheat of commercial importance that is widely cultivated today.
Uses
- When ground as fine as flour, it is used for making bread. In the Middle East, it is used for flat round breads, and in Europe and elsewhere, it can be used for pizza, torte, etc. It is not, however, good for cakes, which are made from soft wheat to ensure softness.
Benefits
- A part of balanced diets: Durum wheat flour is a rich source of many important nutrients. It contains dietary fiber, vitamin B-complex, vitamin E, minerals and zero in fat, saturated and trans fat. It is also low in cholesterol and sodium. Including drum wheat products as a part of your diet provides your more balanced nutrients intake.
- Boost your intake of B-complex vitamins: Durum wheat flour is rich in B-complex vitamins, especially the folate and thiamine. In general, B-complex vitamins are needed for healthy skin, hair, eyes and liver. Enough intake of B-complex is essential to support our metabolism and energy production. Thiamin helps to maintain the health of your brain and nerves system. Folate supports the regeneration of red blood cell in our body. A serving of durum wheat flour (semolina) provides 25% and 30% of daily requirement of folate and thiamine.
- Rich in selenium and iron: Durum wheat is also a good source of essential minerals, such as selenium and iron. Selenium acts as an antioxidant in our body to prevent harmful oxidation damage of our cell membranes and DNA. Selenium also strengthens our immune system to prevent infection. A serving of durum wheat flour provides 37 mg of selenium, which equals to 2/3 of recommended daily intake. An iron-rich diet is beneficial for blood cells regeneration and circulation. A serving of durum wheat flour contains 1.8 mg of iron which is 10% of our daily requirement
- Weight loss: Products made from durum flour is digested slowly. This helps you feel full longer and prevent you from overeating. Eating slices of white bread and a bowl of spaghetti give your totally different feeling of satiety. White bread contains fast digestible starch which will be rapidly emptied from your stomach, digested and absorbed into your blood stream. On the other hand, pasta has a slower digestion and maintained in your GI tract for a longer time. Choosing products made with durum flour over those made with refined white flour will help you to reduce your food intake.
- Prevent type 2 diabetes: Durum wheat product is a top choice for people with diabetics because of its low glycemic index. Compared to refined white flour, durum flour is digested and absorbed at a slower rate. This helps to reduce the blood glucose surge after a meal and allows people with diabetes to control their blood sugar levels more effectively.
Cautions
- Same as any other types of wheat, durum wheat is safe and fit for human consumption. However, the high gluten content of semolina cause problem for people having celiac diseases, wheat allergy or gluten sensitivity.
- For those with celiac diseases, eating durum wheat product trigger an immune response that attacks the small intestine and leads to damage of the small intestine villi. When the villi are damaged, nutrients cannot be absorbed properly into the body. The consequence is severe. Hence, people with celiac disease must strictly avoid all gluten to live symptom-free.
- For people with wheat allergy, ingestion of durum wheat triggers an allergic reaction of mild symptoms (rashes, hives, itching, swelling, etc.) or severe symptoms (trouble breathing, wheezing, less of consciousness, etc.).
- For those having gluten sensitivity, side effects from eating pasta or bread made with semolina include abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea or constipation. Gluten-free foods are safe for someone with the wheat allergy and gluten sensitivity.
Interactions
Please consult with your doctor.
Other names
pasta wheat or macaroni wheat
References
Source: Appreciategoods, https://appreciategoods.com/durum-wheat/#Top_10_health_benefits_of_durum_wheat
Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durum