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Ophthalmology Ancient cereal Einkorn enhances our eye health
The ancient grain of einkorn could make a significant contribution to eye health. Researchers at the University of Hohenheim have found that out. Accordingly, the high content of the carotenoid lutein is responsible for the health-promoting effect. The researchers present their study results in the journal "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry".
Urkorn deliciously prepared: it protects our eyes from bad diseases. Image: Orlando Bellini-fotolia Einkorn contains six to ten times more lutein than modern common wheat
Anyone who regularly eats bread made from ancient grains could make a significant contribution to the health of his eyes. Above all, lutein should be responsible for the einkorn. "Lutein is a protective substance that is needed for the yellow spot in the eye - the area of sharp vision," explains Jochen Ziegler, food technologist at the University of Hohenheim. "Especially the age-related macular degeneration (AMD), ie the blindness of the elderly, can be prevented by the increased intake of lutein."
In the context of their study, the scientists of the State Plant Breeding Institute of the University of Hohenheim planted 15 different varieties from five wheat species (durum wheat, common wheat, einkorn, emmer and spelled) at five different locations. Later, the individual varieties were analyzed at the Department of Technology and Analysis of Plant Food. The result was unequivocal: The original wheat grain Einkorn contained six to ten times more lutein than the modern type of wheat soft wheat (bread). "Each of the einkornsorts contains more lutein than all bread wheat varieties," summarizes Prof. Reinhold Carle, head of the analytical study. "The high lutein content in einkorn also gives people the opportunity to eat healthily, which does not eat enough luteinreiches vegetables," added Ziegler. "People could eat healthier by switching to the long neglected original wheat varieties instead of modern bread wheat varieties."
Einkorn is less productive than modern wheat
However, old types of wheat such as einkorn have a decisive disadvantage, especially with regard to their harvest. "They are easy to grow, because you have to inject them less and fertilize less," says dr. Friedrich Longin, expert on einkorn, emmer and spelled at the University of Hohenheim. However, old types of wheat are besellzt, "that is, the grains still have their shell. Modern wheat types, however, not. This is where the process of freeing the grains from the shell disappears. " The yield is lower than bread wheat. "Soft wheat in particular has established itself with us because of its profitability," continues Longin. "Accordingly, the breeders have also dealt mainly with common wheat. Breeding was based on yield and good baking properties - but not on the nutrient content. "(Ag)