Nutrients

A 100 g of raw spelt provides 338 calories. It is composed of about 70% carbohydrates, of which 11% is dietary fiber, and is low in fat. Spelt has a good protein content; it is also a terrific source of dietary fiber, B vitamins including niacin and of a wide variety of dietary minerals including manganese and phosphorus [21]. The comparison between nine samples of hulled spelt and five of soft winter wheat [42] showed a higher average quantity of total lipids and unsaturated fatty acids, with a lower tocopherol content, both in whole spelt and in spelt from grinds, compared to wheat. This suggests that the higher lipid content of spelt might not be related to a higher proportion of germs. The proportions of flour and bran after grinding were similar in spelt and wheat; the content of ash, copper, iron, zinc, magnesium, and phosphorus was higher in the samples of spelt, particularly in fine bran rich in aleurone and in the coarse bran. The phosphorus content was higher, while the phytic acid content was lower in spelt than in fine wheat bran. This could sugges<sup>t</sup> that spelt has either a higher endogenous phytase activity or a lower phytic acid content than wheat.

Compared to hard red winter wheat, spelt has lower insoluble polymeric proteins, which contribute to the swelling capacity of the gluten. Spelt also has higher gliadins, which have the opposite effects, and higher values of soluble polymeric proteins. It follows that the gluten in spelt is less elastic and more extensible than wheat gluten, resulting in the typical weaker spelt dough [43].

## *2.4. Oats*

Oat (Avena sativa, the best known species of the Avena genus), unlike other varieties of cereals and pseudocereals, is cultivated for their seed, known by the same name, usually in the plural. Oats are commonly eaten rolled or ground as oatmeal or as fine oatmeal

and consumed primarily as porridge, but are also used as an ingredient for making cakes, cookies, and bread. Oats are also an ingredient in breakfast cereals, particularly in muesli. In the United Kingdom, oats are used for the production of beer. A popular refreshment throughout Latin America is a characteristic cold, sweet drink made from ground oats and milk [20].
