Researchers from the University of Agriculture in Krakow in Poland, together with a team from the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, have indicated that red potatoes are an ideal addition to gluten-free bread thanks to their wealth of nutrients.
"Potato-based preparations…could be valuable components of such formulations, as they contain high-quality protein, dietary [fiber], minerals and vitamin C," researchers explained in their study. "Especially interesting are red potato varieties because of their antioxidant potential, and high level of carotenoids."
For the study, the team used three varieties of red potatoes: Magenta Love, Violeta, and Blue Star. To prepare the starch, researchers first freeze-dried the potatoes for 40 hours before grinding them and acquiring samples for nutritional component analyses. They then prepared two batches of six gluten-free bread loaves: The control batch was made with maize and potato starch, while the experimental batch was made with a five-percent substitute of the freeze-dried potato starch. The loaves – after baking and cooling – were stored in polyethylene bags and left to stand under ambient conditions.
For the next part of the experiment, the researchers examined the physical properties of the loaves of bread. This entailed measuring crumb structure and bread volume, analyzing crumb colors, and performing breadcrumb texture profile analyses. Additionally, 12 volunteers evaluated the bread loaves according to these criteria: appearance, taste, smell, crumb elasticity and porousness, and crust color and thickness.
Chemical tests revealed that the Magenta Love variety had the highest levels of protein, manganese, zinc, copper, and chromium. It also had the lowest amount of sugars and soluble carbohydrates. Regardless of variety, however, the nutritional content of the red potato gluten-free breads was markedly improved compared to the control. On average, the manganese content increased by 500 percent, iron by 350 percent, dietary fiber by 105 percent, and copper by 35 percent. (Related: Potatoes the next superfood? Research reveals a host of health benefits that could sustain you for life.)
In addition, the bread containing Magenta Love was deemed the most desirable in terms of physical properties. As noted by the researchers, this bread had the greatest volume, reduced hardness, and most cohesiveness. These qualities were consistent when the bread was freshly baked and when it was stored.
As a result, the volunteers found this bread to be the most appealing. Not just in terms of appearance, crust color and thickness, and crumb elasticity, but also with regards to the smell and taste.
Thus, the researchers concluded that adding freeze-dried Magenta Love potatoes to gluten-free bread dough would greatly improve its nutritional content and physical qualities.
Some considerations when going gluten-free
As demonstrated by this study, a diet that lacks gluten may be detrimental to one’s health. According to MedicalNewsToday.com, avoiding gluten can cause you to miss out on a plethora of important nutrients. These include fiber, calcium, iron, folate, niacin, riboflavin, and thiamin.
Although it’s possible to make up for the loss of fiber with beans and lentils, they have their own ill effects. Being high in starch means that eating too many beans and lentils can produce a sudden spike in blood sugar. Moreover, improperly cooked beans have phytate, an organic compound that impedes mineral and vitamin absorption.
Many health experts have warned that gluten is really only bad for those suffering from Celiac disease.
"Gluten is neither essential nor detrimental to one's health or quality of diet," said clinical dietician Lisa Cimperman. "The reality is that gluten-free junk food or desserts are certainly no healthier than their gluten-containing counterparts."
So unless you’re a celiac, you have no real reason to go gluten-free.
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