Sarah EatonKamut (say “ka-moot”) is an ancient grain rich in nutrients and high in energy. Specifically, Kamut is a trademarked name given to khorasan wheat. While it’s been long forgotten, Kamut is making a major comeback. Its flavor is rich and buttery, and it’s easy to digest. Similar to bulgar wheat, Kamut boasts more proteins, lipids, vitamins, minerals and amino acids than does common wheat. Kamut benefits include supporting bone health, balancing hormones, and treating the common cold. To learn more, read below!
Here are 8 kamut benefits and uses:
1. Supports Bone Health
Kamut benefits start with the ability to promote healthy bones. You can thank the manganese present in kamut for this benefit. Maganese helps reduce bone loss, particularly in older women who are susceptible to fractures. As manganese helps regulate hormones and enzymes, it is also involved in bone metabolism.
In fact, one study found that a combination of calcium, zinc, copper and manganese helped lesson spinal bone loss in a group of post-menopausal women.
Kamut has more than 100 percent of your daily manganese needs. Try adding it and other foods high in manganese to help protect the health of your bones.
2. Aids Digestive System
Due to being high in fiber, Kamut benefits your digestive system as well. Kamut is a fibrous carbohydrate, which will clean you out, fill you up, and help fight bacteria. Additionally, Kamut will increase your absorption of nutrients.
The zinc in Kamut also helps regulate digestion. Chronic digestive issues do have a link to a zinc deficiency, so upping your zinc can help to treat such issues.
3. Detoxes the Body
Kamut benefits also help your body remove toxins. And if you experience frequent headaches, bloating, gas, fatigue, muscle aches, skin problems, or bad breath, then you may need to detox your liver. You can help achieve this by eating plenty of detoxifying foods like Kamut.
4. High Source of Protein
The cells, organs, and muscles in our bodies are made up of protein. We need protein to produce hormones, coenzymes, blood cells, and DNA. This is another area in which Kamut benefits come into play. Kamut is high in protein, which also serves to keep you full and help you lose weight.
In fact, a 2015 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition examined protein in relation to weight loss. What researchers found was that higher protein diets improved participants’ appetites and body weight management. Furthermore, protein helped lower participants’ cardiometabolic risk factors. (1)
5. Fights the Common Cold
As mentioned above, Kamut is a good source of zinc. In this way, Kamut benefits include the ability to prevent colds. Zinc is antiviral, in that it attaches itself to receptors in nasal epithelial cells and thereby blocks viral infections.
A 2013 study echoes this. Researchers found that consuming zinc was linked with a significant reduction in the duration of the common cold. (2)
6. Supports Brain Health
Kamut benefits extend to your brain, as well. For example, the manganese in Kamut releases into the synaptic cleft of the brain, positively affecting neurotransmission. This may help in those who suffer from mental illnesses, mood changes, learning disabilities and epilepsy.
A 2013 study, in fact, found that manganese is “pivotal for normal cell function and metabolism.” (3) And another study from 2003 found that a manganese deficiency may lend itself to susceptibility to epilepsy. (4)
7. Balances Hormones
Kamut benefits include the ability to balance hormones, as well. This is due to the zinc and manganese Kamut contains. Zinc increases testosterone, which can boost fertility and overall hormonal health. Furthermore, zinc plays a role in the creation and release of eggs within and from the ovaries.
Balancing hormones is important, as an imbalance can lead to mood swings, problematic menstruation, and even cancer.
A 2010 study done by the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Iran examined zinc’s ability to treat sexual dysfunction in chronic renal failure patients undergoing hemodialysis. Patients received 250 milligrams of zinc every day for six weeks. As a result, patients’ testosterone levels increased significantly. They concluded that sinc can improve the sexual function of patients struggling with sexual dysfunction. (5)
8. Lowers Cholesterol
Kamut benefits also include the ability to unclog arteries and lower cholesterol. This is due to it being a high-fiber food. A 2013 study, in fact, found that Kamut could be effective in reducing metabolic risk factors. (6)