Health benefits of triticale include its potential ability to improve digestive efficiency, boost heart health, increase healing and metabolic rate, improve energy levels, protect infants in the womb, prevents and manages diabetes, increase circulation, protect against asthma, reduce various skin conditions, and contribute to strong bones.
Triticale
Triticale is a hybrid grain prepared by crossing wheat and rye. It has higher levels of most vitamins and minerals than either of their two contributing species, making it an ideal nutritional fodder food for livestock. [1]
Triticale is commonly found in various health cereals, and can also be found in a number of different forms, either as the whole triticale berries, flour, cereal, bread, flakes, or crackers.
For now, let’s look at the nutritional content that makes triticale so valuable and healthy.
Triticale is a hybrid of wheat Photo Credit: Shutterstock
| Serving Size : | |
|---|---|
| Nutrient | Value |
| Water [g] | 10.51 |
| Energy | 336 |
| Energy [kJ] | 1406 |
| Protein [g] | 13.05 |
| Total lipid (fat) [g] | 2.09 |
| Ash [g] | 2.23 |
| Carbohydrate, by difference [g] | 72.13 |
| Calcium, Ca [mg] | 37 |
| Iron, Fe [mg] | 2.57 |
| Magnesium, Mg [mg] | 130 |
| Phosphorus, P [mg] | 358 |
| Potassium, K [mg] | 332 |
| Sodium, Na [mg] | 5 |
| Zinc, Zn [mg] | 3.45 |
| Copper, Cu [mg] | 0.46 |
| Manganese, Mn [mg] | 3.21 |
| Thiamin [mg] | 0.42 |
| Riboflavin [mg] | 0.13 |
| Niacin [mg] | 1.43 |
| Pantothenic acid [mg] | 1.32 |
| Vitamin B-6 [mg] | 0.14 |
| Folate, total [µg] | 73 |
| Folate, food [µg] | 73 |
| Folate, DFE [µg] | 73 |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) [mg] | 0.9 |
| Fatty acids, total saturated [g] | 0.37 |
| 8:0 [g] | 0.02 |
| 12:0 [g] | 0.01 |
| 14:0 [g] | 0.01 |
| 16:0 [g] | 0.27 |
| 18:0 [g] | 0.03 |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated [g] | 0.21 |
| 16:1 [g] | 0.02 |
| 18:1 [g] | 0.18 |
| 20:1 [g] | 0.02 |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated [g] | 0.91 |
| 18:2 [g] | 0.85 |
| 18:3 [g] | 0.06 |
| Tryptophan [g] | 0.16 |
| Threonine [g] | 0.41 |
| Isoleucine [g] | 0.48 |
| Leucine [g] | 0.91 |
| Lysine [g] | 0.37 |
| Methionine [g] | 0.2 |
| Cystine [g] | 0.28 |
| Phenylalanine [g] | 0.64 |
| Tyrosine [g] | 0.38 |
| Valine [g] | 0.61 |
| Arginine [g] | 0.67 |
| Histidine [g] | 0.31 |
| Alanine [g] | 0.49 |
| Aspartic acid [g] | 0.79 |
| Glutamic acid [g] | 4.01 |
| Glycine [g] | 0.56 |
| Proline [g] | 1.18 |
| Serine [g] | 0.59 |
| Sources include : USDA [2] | |
Triticale Nutrition Facts
This hybrid cereal option is more than just a scientific achievement. It boasts a higher content of dietary fiber, protein, and minerals than both rye and wheat, making it a veritable “super cereal”. Triticale is a potentially rich source of manganese, iron, copper, zinc, phosphorous, calcium, potassium, and magnesium, as well as essential vitamins, including the entire B-family of vitamins in significant quantities and vitamin E. [3]
Health Benefits of Triticale
Triticale provides many benefits and some of them include:
May Aid in Diabetes Control
For those people suffering from diabetes or at risk for developing the condition, triticale can help in a variety of ways. The high fiber content of triticale (50% higher than wheat or rye) means that blood sugar levels are balanced, which is possibly the main issue for diabetics. The bloodstream is flooded with simple sugars and glucose which causes major problems; fortunately, fiber prevents this. [4] [5] [6]
Might Improve Digestion
As mentioned above, triticale is a very important source of dietary fiber (19 grams per cup), which may make it very powerful in terms of human digestion. Dietary fiber helps to bulk up the stool, pass food through the digestive tract quicker, and speed up the process of absorption and excretion. This means that any toxins in the bowels are eliminated quicker, and it also increases the efficiency of nutrient absorption, making room for more food (and hence, more nutrients). High fiber diets may help to decrease constipation, diarrhea, bloating, cramping, and other gastrointestinal conditions, even more, serious ones like gastric ulcers. [7] [8]
Might Boost Circulation
Red blood cells are key elements in human health, as they deliver oxygen to all parts of the body, including vital organ systems, skin cells, and muscle tissues. Iron, copper, and folic acid are all necessary components in the production of red blood cells, and triticale has all three of these. This means that RBC count and circulation increase, thereby boosting the speed of healing of various tissues and cells, improving metabolic efficiency, increasing hair growth, and providing the body with balanced energy levels. [9]
May Increase Cell Production
Just as with fiber, triticale has a higher content of protein than either wheat or rye. This means that cell production throughout the body can be increased, metabolic and enzymatic processes can be optimized, and general bodily functions can be far more efficient. Proteins are the building blocks of cells, as they can be broken down into their component amino acids and then re-structured into whatever materials our body needs to stay healthy. Along with protein, triticale may also contain manganese, folic acid, and a number of other nutritional elements that are essential for cell production. [10]
Might Boost Bone Growth
Triticale is an impressive source of minerals, many of which may play an important role in the production of bone tissue. Zinc, phosphorous, calcium, and manganese are all integral parts of bone production and strength in the body. People with frail bones or aging people who are experiencing age-related bone degradation would do well to add triticale to their diet, as it can significantly boost bone growth, speed up bone healing, and prevent conditions like osteoporosis. [11]
May Relieve Asthma
The highest content of minerals found in triticale is manganese, and while this isn’t always the most discussed mineral in our diet, it is certainly a powerful one in these quantities. There is more than 300% of the daily recommended intake of manganese in a single serving of triticale. Manganese serves a number of functions, as already explained, but it also is a co-factor in manganese superoxide dismutase, which is a powerful antioxidant. High levels of manganese and this enzyme have been connected to a reduction in oxidative stress conditions, possibly including asthma and various skin conditions. [12]
Might Prevent Neural Tube Defects
Significant levels of folate in the body mean that pregnant mothers can protect their children from neural tube defects. The deficiency of folic acid (one of the B-vitamins) can be prevented by foods like triticale, which contain high levels of this beneficial and multi-functional vitamin. [13]
Triticale – History & Production
It was first produced in the 19th century and the intention was to gain the high yield and quality of wheat with the disease tolerance and unique nutritional composition of rye. Despite its amazing health benefits and nutrient-packed nature, triticale is only produced in 29 countries around the world and the total harvest yield is 15 million tons, which is dwarfed by the totals for more traditional grain crops.
Obviously, the breeding process is slightly more complex, making the initial production slightly more expensive, but once a steady hereditary line is put in place, it is basically the same cost as any other grain crop. The main producers of triticale are Poland, Australia, Germany, and France. [14]
A Final Word of Caution
Triticale, like wheat and rye, contains high levels of gluten, so those who suffer from gluten intolerance or allergies should avoid triticale and try other non-gluten health cereals that won’t cause severe allergic reactions and gastrointestinal trouble. [15]
