Wheat is one of the most significant cereal crops cultivated worldwide, including in India. It serves as a key crop that provides food for humans and revenue for farmers. Common wheat, also referred to as Triticum aestivum, is the predominant type of wheat cultivated in India. Wheat is used for the production of chapatis, bread, biscuits, and numerous other food products. However, with the increasing health awareness among people, healthier and more nutritious types of wheat are gaining popularity. One such type is Black Wheat, a recently developed, nutrition-dense variety that offers various health benefits and presents new market opportunities for Indian farmers.
What is Black Wheat
Black wheat is different from regular wheat in that it has a dark purple or blackish color. The color is due to natural pigments known as anthocyanins. These pigments also occur in other fruits such as black grapes, blueberries, and black rice. Anthocyanins are antioxidants with strong protective powers against damaging substances known as free radicals that can cause severe diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
It contains more nutrients than normal wheat. It contains about 60 percent more iron and higher amounts of protein and fiber. It also includes vital vitamins like thiamine and B-complex vitamins, along with necessary minerals like zinc and iron. Black wheat's nutritional value is quite significant. Average 100 grams of black wheat yields 71 grams of carbohydrates, 13 grams of protein, 10 grams of fiber, and approximately 3.4 grams of fat, this makes it a more healthy option compared to ordinary wheat.
Health Benefits of Black Wheat
Black wheat contains a lot of health benefits. Due to its high levels of antioxidants, it reduces the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and some forms of cancer. These antioxidants help safeguard our cells from harm and enhance our immune system. It has been proven that black wheat controls blood sugar levels. One research among diabetic patients discovered that eating black wheat regularly assisted in enhancing blood glucose management and lowering inflammation in the body.
Black wheat also aids in good digestion due to its high fiber content. The fiber promotes smooth bowel movement, avoids constipation, and increases gut health. Black wheat chapatis or rotis are a fine option for individuals who experience digestive disorders. It is lower in gluten than normal wheat, so it might be easier to digest for those with gluten sensitivity, though it is not completely gluten-free and should be avoided by individuals with celiac disease.
Use of Black Wheat in Indian Kitchens
Black wheat is as easy to use in the kitchen as regular wheat. Black wheat can be employed to prepare authentic Indian recipes such as chapatis, parathas, puris, and dalia. Black wheat is also employed in preparing pasta, noodles, halwa, and desserts such as laddoos. The foods not only enjoy great flavors but are also healthier in nature. Flour prepared using black wheat tastes slightly different — it is nuttier in flavor. Its dark hue also makes the food appear richer and more desirable.
Whole flour black wheat bread has about 313 calories, 53 grams of carbs, 9 grams of protein, and 6 grams of fat per 100 grams. These amounts qualify it for individuals who are on a diet or are looking to regulate blood sugars because it is digested slowly and offers sustained energy.
Farming and Market Benefits
Black wheat is not only healthy but also a valuable crop for the farmer. There is growing demand for black wheat, particularly in health-oriented consumers in urban areas. It is being retailed in health food stores, supermarkets, and over the internet. Black wheat seed costs between Rs. 70 to Rs. 100 per kilogram, higher than common wheat. Farmers planting black wheat have the opportunity to earn more money by selling either to niche segments or direct consumer channels.
In addition, black wheat cultivation has certain environmental benefits. It is less water-intensive compared to conventional wheat and hence can be cultivated in areas with water scarcity. Black wheat is also resistant to a certain extent to pests and diseases, minimizing the use of chemical-based pesticides. This makes black wheat a sustainable crop option. Farmers can diversify their income and minimize crop failure risks due to climatic or market fluctuations by incorporating black wheat in their cropping schedule.
Nutritional Superiority
Scientific research has established that black wheat has as much as 200 parts per million of anthocyanins, whereas plain wheat has only around 5 ppm. That's a vast disparity in the antioxidant content, which makes black wheat a superfood. In reality, black wheat has six times more phenols compared to yellow wheat. Ferulic acid is among the primary antioxidants present in black wheat and serves to combat inflammation and enhance the immune system.
Interestingly, about 225 plant compounds, primarily flavonoids, are found in black wheat that do not exist in ordinary wheat. These compounds not only provide the wheat its color but also render it healthier.
Black wheat is a novel crop that combines sustainability, profit, and wellness. It gives Indian farmers the opportunity to produce a crop with higher market value, promotes better health, and requires fewer pesticides and water. It has the potential to play a significant role in India's agricultural future with the correct encouragement and education. Black wheat is a useful complement to farming methods for farmers searching for viable substitutes. It is a step toward better farming and a better quality of life, not merely a new crop.
