Kamut Launch Healthy Alternative to Modern Wheat
14 Oct 2016 --- Consumers’ idea of what is “healthy” no longer focuses on food that is “fat free” or “reduced fat.” Instead, consumers are seeking food that is non-GMO, clean label and has a simple and short list of ingredients. Launched by KAMUT International, KAMUT Brand khorasan wheat, an ancient grain, guaranteed under the KAMUT brand to always be grown certified organic, never hybridized or genetically modified and non-GMO, is a prime example of this trend.
KAMUT khorasan wheat is prized for its nutrition, ease of digestibility, sweet nutty-buttery taste and firm texture. Compared to most modern wheat it has more protein, amino acids, vitamins and many minerals, especially selenium, zinc and magnesium. Most people who bake with it find that it has better absorption properties than regular flour, as well as good elasticity.
KAMUT Brand wheat does contain gluten, and people with celiac disease should not eat it, but for those with wheat sensitivities, many of them find KAMUT wheat easier to digest than modern wheat. Also, for those without celiac disease who simply believe that a gluten-free diet is healthier and trendy, there is currently no evidence that cutting gluten out of diets has any health benefits.
KAMUT Brand khorasan wheat has been found to reduce inflammation and improve conditions of those suffering from diabetes, heart disease and IBS. A study published earlier this year in the European Journal of Nutrition found that by using KAMUT wheat as an alternative to modern wheat, diabetic patients noticed a significant improvement in several key markers in the blood. A previously published study in the journal Nutrients revealed that a KAMUT khorasan wheat-based replacement diet improves the risk profile of patients with ACS (acute coronary syndrome).
A previous study in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that a KAMUT khorasan wheat-based replacement diet could potentially reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in healthy people. Another study in the British Journal of Nutrition showed significant reduction in symptoms associated with IBS. In all of these published reports, KAMUT wheat products were compared to modern wheat products in double blind crossover studies with human volunteers.
Bob Quinn, Ph.D., organic farmer and founder of Kamut International told FoodIngredientsFirst: "By far the largest market currently for KAMUT Brand khorasan wheat is Italy where they produce 1,800 incredibly diverse products, with pasta being the most common which highlights the rich nutty, buttery flavor unique to KAMUT wheat. While we feel North America is still in its infancy for the volume and range KAMUT wheat products available, ancient grains have been rising in popularity in the US and Canada in recent years. We are starting to see ancient grains, including KAMUT wheat, in the products of mainstream food companies such as in organic cereals, including Kashi. It's also making its way into entrees, such as Blue Apron’s recent meal box that included the grain paired with pork chops and salsa.”
