(RxWiki News) Technology touches every aspect of life, including food production. Genetically modified and mutated plants are becoming the norm. The latest innovation is sweet wheat.
Sweet wheat, as suggested by the name, contains more sugar than regular wheat. Researchers formulated this modified form of wheat from mutations in field wheat. And while it's sweeter, is this new unnatural product a healthy or healthier alternative to wheat?
"Sweet wheat is sweeter and provides health benefits."
Sweet wheat is made from two different types of wheat that are missing enzymes needed to make starch. The change caused the new sweet wheat to contain more sugar, lipids and dietary fibers - making it a more healthful choice than regular wheat.
Sweet wheat contains higher levels of fructans, a type of fructose that is beneficial to health. Fructans has been shown to improve gut flora, immunity and resistance to infections, lipid balance in the body, and absorption of calcium and other minerals.
These benefits can reduce risks for intestinal infections, bowel diseases, colon cancer, osteoporosis and obesity.
There are many sweet wheat products currently available - like cereals and wheat drinks - that offer these health benefits.
While sweet wheat provides many apparent benefits, consumers should be careful and aware that overconsumption of any form of fructose can eventually lead to allergies, resistance, and sensitivities.
Fructose and fructans are " a natural part of our world and foods," says Mark Bans, D.C, "But, fruits are meant to be seasonal and eaten whole. You wouldn't sit down and eat 10 oranges, so why would someone want to drink that equivalent?"
So while agronomy and agricultural technology continue to advance, eating food in its most natural form is always your healthiest option.
