Is Semolina Healthy ?

Semolina flour is flour made from Semolina, a coarse, purified middlings of the durum wheat. It is used for the preparation of couscous, pasta, upma, sweet puddings, and for making bread and pasta.

It is tougher, less extendable, and slightly yellow in comparison to all-purpose flour.

Semolina flour doesn’t contain cholesterol, saturated fats, or trans fat, and provides many benefits such as weight loss, regulating blood sugar, and strengthening the immune system, etc.

Nutrition In Semolina

Semolina flour is of two types- Enriched and unenriched.

The enriched variant is preferred over unenriched one as in enriched semolina flour, food manufacturers re-add the nutrients that get lost during the processing of durum wheat grain. Compared to the unenriched variant, it has a higher level of vitamins, minerals, and other healthy compounds.

A one-third cup ( 56 grams) of uncooked enriched semolina flour provide

198 calories of energy

40 grams of carbohydrates

7 grams of protein

Less than 1 gram of fat

41% of the RDI value of thiamine

36% of the RDI value of Folate

13% of the RDI value of Iron

8% of the RDI value of Magnesium

29% of the RDI value of Riboflavin

Semolina flour is also rich in proteins and dietary fibers.

Health Benefits of Semolina Flour

Following are the major health benefits of semolina flour.

(1) Good Source of Energy

Carbohydrates in semolina flour break down into glucose with the help of our digestive juices and enzymes and provide energy for day-to-day activities.

Semolina flour has low fat and high carbohydrates.

Compared to fat, carbohydrates can be easily digested and efficiently utilized ( in the form of glucose) by our organs.

(2) Promotes Weight Loss

One-third cup of uncooked enriched semolina flour provides 7 percent of the RDI for dietary fibers.

Dietary fiber in semolina flour provides stomach satiety and control overeating, a major cause of obesity.

As per a study involving 252 women, even a slight increase in dietary fiber intake contribute to weight loss.

Protein in semolina flour reduces hunger, improves metabolism, increases the rate at which our body burns calories, and promotes weight loss.

Protein preserves muscle mass during weight loss.

In a study conducted on 24 individuals, people who consumed a high protein diet showed greater weight loss compared to individuals who were on a standard protein diet.

(3) May Prevent Anemia

Iron in semolina flour reduces the risk of iron-induced anemia, a blood disorder mainly caused by the deficiency of iron in our body.

It causes symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, pale skin, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, and chest pain, etc.

Iron increases the production of red blood cells and provides nourishment to our cells and tissues.

One cup of semolina flour provides around 8 percent of the recommended daily amount of iron to our body.

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(4) Aids In Maintaining Balance of the Diet

Semolina flour provides a healthy balance to our diet as it contains both essential compounds such as vitamin B complex, vitamin E, carbohydrates, protein, and dietary fibers.

They are also rich in trace minerals such as potassium, zinc, iron, and magnesium.

These micronutrients and macronutrients present in the semolina flour provide many health benefits.

(5) Regulates Cholesterol Level

Dietary fibers in semolina flour reduce LDL cholesterol and help with cholesterol management. It reduces the risk of atherosclerosis, a leading cause of cardiovascular problems such as heart attack, heart stroke, and coronary artery disease.

The absence of trans-fat or saturated fats in semolina flour also helps with cholesterol management.

Antioxidants in semolina flour manage cholesterol levels by reducing the factors responsible for converting cholesterol molecules to plaque that sticks to the arterial walls and damages them.

(6) Provides Antioxidantal Benefits

Antioxidants and other relevant compounds such as phytonutrients and polyphenols in semolina flour protect our cells and tissues from free radical damage and reduces the risk of various cancers.

Free radicals are unstabilized ions that stabilize by stealing electrons from neighboring molecules, and doing so causes oxidative damage to them.

Antioxidants also protect our cells from external factors such as pollution and harmful UV rays of the sun.

They provide many other benefits such as strengthening the immune system, improving cardiovascular health, improving digestive health, and promoting respiratory health.

One serving of semolina flour provides 37 micrograms of selenium, a powerful antioxidant that improves thyroid function, reduces the risk of cancers, boosts immunity, and improves respiratory health.

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(7) Keeps our digestive system healthy

Semolina flour improves our digestive health.

Antioxidants in semolina flour protect our digestive system from free radical damage and reduce the risk of various cancers such as colon cancer, abdominal cancer, intestinal cancer, and pancreatic cancer, etc.

The laxative properties of dietary fibers in semolina flour improve bowel movement, relieve constipation, and other gastrointestinal problems such as abdominal pain, gas, bloating, and flatulence, etc.

Dietary fibers in semolina flour stimulate the growth of gut bacteria that improve food digestion, maintain immune health and stabilize metabolism.

(8) Regulates Blood Sugar Level

Because of its low glycemic index, semolina flour reduces the rate at which sugar is released into the bloodstream and prevents a sudden spike in blood sugar levels.

This helps in managing diabetes.

Dietary fiber in semolina flour slows down the absorption of sugar by the bloodstream and keeps blood sugar under control.

Magnesium in semolina flour increases our cells’ response to insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels.

As per studies, magnesium-rich food may reduce the risk of diabetes by around 14%.

(9) Reduces the risk of hypertension

Semolina flour reduces the risk of hypertension, a silent killer that affects millions around the world and is a leading cause of cardiovascular and other health problems.

The vasodilating properties of potassium relax our blood vessels, improve blood circulation and provide relief from hypertension or high blood pressure.

The low sodium in semolina flour also helps in regulating blood pressure as it prevents water retention and reduces stress on blood vessels.

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(10) Boosts Immune System

Semolina flour boosts our immune system, our body’s defense system that protects and treats diseases, infections, injuries, and wounds.

Antioxidants and other antioxidant compounds in semolina flour protect our white blood cells or immune cells from free radical damage and strengthen the immune system.

With stronger immunity, our risk of getting a cough, cold, fever, and flu reduces significantly.

The antimicrobial properties of semolina flour protect us from bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.

Other nutrients like iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc, etc in the semolina flour also help in improving our immune health.

Iron, potassium, magnesium, and zinc, etc in semolina flour also play a significant role in improving immune health.

(11) provides detoxifying benefits

The detoxifying compounds such as dietary fibers in semolina flour remove toxins, pollutants, and other impurities from our system.

By helping with detoxification, semolina flour reduces the burden of detoxification from our vital organs like the liver and kidneys and allows them to focus on other functions they need to perform.

When there are fewer toxins in our body, they are less likely to accumulate in our skin pores and reduces the risk of skin problems like acne and pimples.

(12) Improves cardiovascular health

Semolina flour is good for the heart and improves our cardiovascular system.

Antioxidants and other relevant compounds such as phytonutrients and polyphenols in semolina flour protect our cardiovascular system from free radical damage.

Dietary fiber in semolina flour reduces LDL cholesterol and minimizes the risk of atherosclerosis, a leading cause of cardiovascular problems such as heart attack, heart stroke, and coronary artery disease.

Semolina flour contains potassium, a natural vasodilator that relaxes blood vessels, improves blood circulation, and provides relief from hypertension, a leading cause of cardiovascular problems.

Low sodium, low trans fat, and low saturated fat in semolina flour also play an important role in improving cardiovascular health.

How to add semolina flour to your diet

Semolina flour is a good alternative to all-purpose flour and contains essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and dietary fibers, etc.

They can be used in the preparation of various dishes in the following ways.

• Semolina flour has more nutrients than all-purpose flour and is a good alternative for the same. It can be used for making bakery products such as cakes, cookies, biscuits, and bread.
• Semolina flour can be used for the preparation of pizza crust and pasta.
• Adding semolina flour to soups and stews gives them a unique flavor and improves their consistency. It can also be added to gravies.

Side-Effects of Semolina Flour (Suji)

Some common side effects of semolina flour are as follows.

• Avoid semolina flour if you are allergic to wheat as semolina flour is made by processing durum wheat. If you have a wheat allergy, you are likely to be allergic to semolina.
• Anaphylaxis –In some individuals, semolina flour may cause anaphylaxis, a life threatening breathing difficulty in which our body can go in a state of shock.
• Gluten allergy- Semolina flour contain gluten and is not suitable for people with gluten allergy.
• Over-consuming semolina flour or consuming it over a long time may cause damage to our small intestines, and increase the risk of malnutrition ( or poor absorption of nutrients).
• Allergic reactions- In some people, semolina may cause allergic reactions such as hives, runny nose, sneezing, nausea, vomiting, and breathing difficulties.
• Celiac Disease- Food made from semolina flour is not suitable for people with celiac disease as it may cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, bloating, or constipation.

Disclaimer

This article provides general information about the topic and is not be taken as medical advice or as an alternative to medical advice, treatment, and/or diagnosis. Always consult with your doctor before trying out any of the remedies/recipes suggested in the blog post.

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