It is important for us to know the benefits of wheat and its dangers to health. The reason is, wheat is one of the staple foods that many people consume. This type of grain is often used as a raw material for making bread, pasta, and noodles.
Wheat is usually a favorite food ingredient for dieters. This is because wheat has many important nutrients that are beneficial for health, especially the digestive system.
Despite being rich in nutrients, wheat turns out to have side effects that can be detrimental to health if consumed by people suffering from certain diseases. Before consuming it regularly, it helps you understand the benefits and harms of wheat first.
Benefits of Wheat for Health
The benefits of wheat you can get from the various nutrients contained in it. In 100 grams of whole wheat there are about 340 calories and also some of the following important nutrients:
- 72 grams of carbohydrates
- 13 grams of protein
- 10.7 grams of fiber
- 2.5 grams fat
- 0.4 gram sugar
In addition, whole grains are a great source of vitamins and minerals, such as B vitamins, selenium, manganese, phosphorus, and copper. Whole grains also contain antioxidants and active compounds, such as phytic acid, polyphenols, stanols, and plant sterols.
Thanks to these ingredients, consuming whole grains regularly is known to provide several benefits, such as:
- Prevent and treat constipation
- Supports healthy digestive system function by helping eliminate bad bacteria in the gut
- Reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, obesity, and type 2 diabetes
- Reduce chronic inflammation
- Reducing the risk of colon cancer
Wheat Dangers to Watch Out for
Although there are many benefits of wheat, in fact eating wheat can cause several health problems in certain people, such as:
Aggravating the condition of celiac disease
Gluten is the main protein contained in wheat and some other grains. For people with celiac disease, eating foods high in gluten can actually be harmful to health.
The reason is, when they eat foods that contain gluten, their immune system will respond by damaging the small intestine. Symptoms that often occur are weight loss, flatulence, and fatigue.
Not only that, gluten is also known to increase the risk of people with celiac disease developing brain disorders, such as schizophrenia and epilepsy.
Causes symptoms of wheat intolerance
Some people can be wheat sensitive or have a wheat intolerance. This condition is also known as non-celiac wheat sensitivity. Symptoms that are often experienced include abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, diarrhea, joint pain, flatulence, and eczema.
In addition, wheat intolerance is also common in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and can make symptoms worse.
Interfere with the absorption of nutrients that the body needs
Whole grains contain phytic acid which can bind and interfere with the absorption of minerals, such as calcium, zinc, iron, and magnesium. This is certainly dangerous for people whose body condition is lacking these minerals.
However, the phytic acid content of whole wheat is known to be significantly reduced by soaking and fermenting it.
By weighing the benefits of wheat and its dangers to health, it is hoped that you will be more vigilant in consuming it. If you suffer from any of the diseases mentioned above, limit or completely avoid wheat consumption.
However, if you do not have a history of the disease, make sure the products you choose contain whole grains and consume them in sufficient portions to get the optimal benefits of wheat.
To be on the safe side, you should first consult with your doctor if you want to eat wheat on a regular basis, especially if you have a disease or are undergoing certain medications.