ANCIENT GRAIN MAY HELP PROTECT AGAINST HEART DISEASE

Published Feb 7, 2013 in Food Product Design

BIG SANDY, Mont.— The January 2013 issue of European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, published results from a study stating KAMUT® khorasan wheat, an ancient grain, might show benefits in protecting against oxidative stress and inflammation. The human study₁, the first in Phase III of a multi-year research program designed to understand the unique properties of ancient wheat, was conducted with a group of 22 healthy adults and showed higher nutrition content for khorasan wheat, that could be effective in reducing metabolic risk factors. Increasing antioxidant capacity and decreasing inflammation are two important factors to protect people against heart disease.

                                                                           Artisan Ancient Grain Breads & Rolls

"This is a big breakthrough in learning more about ancient, organic grains and the health benefits they offer," said Bob Quinn, Kamut International founder. With the first two phases of the research project completed, including rat studies in phase two, phase three is based on studies of healthy human subjects. Quinn said, "A diet of Kamut brand wheat product compared to traditional durum wheat resulted in a higher antioxidant capacity and decreased inflammation activity."

Whole grain consumption has been associated with playing a role in fighting against cardiovascular disease, diabetes and even cancer. Researchers designed the study to determine if a replacement diet with grain products made from organic whole grain Kamut wheat would reduce the cardiovascular risk profile of participants, compared with a similar replacement diet using grain products made from organic, whole-grain wheat durum.

The published study stated, "The major differences reported in the above-mentioned constituents were between the Kamut (wheat) and control flour, or the part of the diet involving the consumption of bread, biscuits and crackers. A significantly higher amylose/amylopectin ratio, protein content, antioxidant activity as well as 2,2-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl antiradical activity were apparent in the Kamut flour with respect to the control flour." Researchers found there were various parameters relevant to cardiovascular disease in adults, showing improvement for some blood variables such as minerals (such as potassium and magnesium) and metabolic biomarkers, including total cholesterol. Stand out results show significant improvements of the inflammatory profile of participants.

₁Characterization of Khorasan wheat (Kamut) and impact of a replacement diet on cardiovascular risk factors: cross-over dietary intervention study, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2013), 1-6 

Check out my latest e-book entitled: "Social Media Marketing in Agri-Foods: Endless Profit and Painless Gain".  

The book is available on Amazon and Kindle for $4.99 USD. Visit amazon/Kindle to order now:
http://www.amazon.ca/Social-Media-Marketing-Agri-Foods-ebook/dp/B00C42OB3E/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1364756966&sr=1-1

Written by Bruce MacDonald, a 30 year veteran of the Agri-food industry, in "Social Media Marketing in Agri-Foods: Endless Profit and Painless Gain", Bruce applies his background and expertise in Agri-foods and social media to the latest trends, tools and methodologies needed to craft a successful on-line campaign. While the book focuses on the Agri-food market specifically, I believe that many of the points Bruce makes are equally applicable to most other industries.