This Ancient Grain Can Help You Lose Weight, Lower Cholesterol, and Boost Your Liver

The word “kamut” might not mean anything to you right now, but you’re going to want to remember it. In fact, you’ll probably want to stock your kitchen full of this ancient grain to give you and your loved ones a delicious nutritional boost.

Also known as Khorasan wheat, Food Network describes kamut as the “great-great granddaddy of grains.” It was commonly found often in grocery stores until World War II, but farmers stopped growing it as much to focus on higher-yielding crops like regular wheat. Luckily, it hasn’t been completely forgotten about — and research highlights some pretty incredible benefits packed in each bite. 

In 2015, a study published in Nutrients journal found that participants showed significant improvement in their overall cholesterol, plus better glucose and insulin levels, after adding kamut to their diet for an eight-week period. The grain also helped reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, which is especially good news when it comes to keeping our hearts strong. 

Another study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition had patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease swap out their usual grains — pasta, bread, and crackers — with kamut-based products over a three month period. Even though it was a short period of time, the patients all showed serious improvement in liver function with the simple switch. 

Most recently, a 2019 study from the European Journal of Nutrition made a compelling case for kamut’s ability to help shed pounds and reduce risk of type 2 diabetes. Like the liver study, participants replaced all of their usual grain products with kamut-based options. After four months, they had lowered their fat mass and increased their DHA-levels (an omega-3 amino acid that boosts brain function).

Still need more convincing? How about the fact that even with plenty of carbohydrates, kamut also has a hefty amount of fiber and protein to balance it out nicely. You’ll also be eating a mouthful of B-vitamins like thiamin and niacin.

Alright, now that we know all of the impressive ways kamut can make us healthier, there’s one more important question: How does it taste? Kamut’s rich, nutty flavor is similar to farro, but with a buttery accent that will make it an easy choice to whip up as the base of a grain bowl or swap in for pasta and rice recipes.

You can check your local health food stores for kamut or order it online in both whole grain form, like Food to Live’s Organic Kamut Wheat Berries ($12.99 for a pound, Amazon), or as flour to use while baking, like Food to Live’s Organic Kamut Wheat Flour ($14.49 for a pound, Amazon).

Don’t you just love finding tasty new ways to keep your body happy and healthy?

This story originally appeared on our sister site, First for Women.

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