Spelled intolerance: what you should know about it

Some allergy sufferers can tolerate spelled better than wheat. Nevertheless, there is also an intolerance to spelled. We have put together what is behind it for you here.

Celiac disease is usually the cause of spelled intolerance

If your muesli, bread or buns or other pasta causes bloating or abdominal pain, there could be a gluten intolerance. Gluten is an adhesive protein that is found in all conventional types of grain - and therefore also in spelled.

• About one percent of the population belongs to the group of people who cannot tolerate the protein components of gluten. Contrary to popular belief, spelled is not gluten-free. The grain contains even more gluten than wheat.
• Due to an autoimmune reaction, the specific protein components of gluten trigger inflammation of the intestinal mucosa. This affects the functioning of the intestine.
• If you are affected, eating spelled may cause nausea, abdominal pain, gas, diarrhea, or general malaise.
• Not all people with celiac disease have these symptoms. If celiac disease remains undetected and gluten continues to be eaten, secondary illnesses can develop which have a negative impact on the overall lifespan.
• If you suspect that you have an intolerance, be sure to have this clarified by a doctor.
• Likewise, your child may not tolerate gluten. Growth or development disorders can be the result.
• An intolerance to gluten persists for a lifetime. The only way to exclude negative consequences is to avoid foods that contain gluten. In this case you also have to do without spelled.

Spelled for wheat allergy - brings many nutrients

Many wheat allergy sufferers observe that they tolerate spelled better than wheat. This is probably due to the slightly different structure of the proteins, despite the relationship between the two cereals. The typical "allergens" of wheat are missing or are present in a lesser degree. The positive: If spelled is tolerated, it scores with a large portfolio of nutrients.

• According to the Graefe-and-Unzer nutritional table, spelled contains about 11.6 grams of slightly more protein than wheat (about 10.8 grams per 100 grams). In some cases, its protein content is even given as 15 to 17 percent.
• At the same time, its protein is considered high-quality because it contains a high proportion of important amino acids. Leucine, methionine and phenylalanine and the semi-essential alanine, arginine and cysteine ​​are among the strengths.
• The original grain provides a plus in B vitamins (especially vitamin B6, niacin) and provitamin. Dinkel also supplies you with important minerals such as magnesium, calcium, iron and zinc.
• Compared to wheat, spelled may have a higher content of the trace element silicon, which plays a key role in building up body tissue. At least in the outer shells of the grain (spelled), an increased silicon content was reliably detected.
• Hildegard von Bingen was already convinced of the positive properties of the grain. Spelled also plays a role in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as an important food.

Bread from the supermarket: that's really inside

If you cannot tolerate spelled, find a replacement. Using millet is a healthy alternative.