One spoonful of this porridge increases the risk of death: absolutely forbidden for children

Over time, our menu has noticeably changed, with dishes from different countries making their way into it, along with flavor and product combinations that initially seemed unusual, but the most ordinary porridge remains a classic that will appear on our tables under any circumstances.

However, not every porridge is worth indulging in. Some should be prepared as rarely as possible, or even only for specific indications. We asked doctors which porridge is considered the most harmful, and they unanimously answered - semolina. We explain what's wrong with it and if there's anything beneficial about it at all.

What semolina is made from

Semolina is made from soft wheat varieties. Essentially, it is wheat grain. Only it's maximally purified and literally ground to dust - the size of the grains varies from 0.25 to 0.75 mm. Thanks to this, semolina porridge is very easy and quick to prepare, but on the other hand, due to such grinding, almost none of the beneficial substances originally present in wheat remain. But something, of course, does remain.

The benefits of semolina porridge

Semolina porridge contains B vitamins, E, PP, niacin (beneficial for protein synthesis, fat and carbohydrate metabolism), phytin (promotes intestinal function, prevents excessive mineralization of the body, therefore useful for the elderly), potassium, calcium, phosphorus, selenium, zinc, and iron. Another question is that all of these are present in semolina in very insignificant amounts.

- Selenium and potassium are beneficial for those who exercise or whose work is associated with severe stress. Because these elements help maintain cardiovascular health, - says gastroenterologist Galina Bartashevich. - In addition, selenium strengthens immunity, but to feel the effect, you need a fairly large amount of selenium, which semolina doesn't contain.

At the same time, thanks to minimal amounts of various substances, you can find advantages to semolina porridge. For example, it contains less fiber than all other porridges. Fiber is vital for us, but if you have gastrointestinal diseases, then semolina will be very useful to you. This is because foods rich in dietary fiber irritate the intestines and cause gas formation. Against this background, semolina looks quite advantageous. In addition, semolina porridge has coating properties, making it beneficial for people with impaired digestion.

- Semolina is suitable for patients with digestive disorders; thanks to its coating effect, it relieves spasms in ulcers and gastritis, - confirms Galina Bartashevich.

Additionally, semolina porridge confidently takes first place in carbohydrate content (if this were a competition among porridges), which can be useful for athletes who are building muscle mass.

- It's important to understand that everything from semolina won't quickly go to the muscles. In addition to nutrition, muscles need to be trained. Only then is weight gained, - summarizes Galina Bartashevich.

But the high carbohydrate content can be useful only for athletes. If you're not lifting weights at the gym in pursuit of mass, you don't need extra carbohydrates.

The harm of semolina porridge

First and foremost, semolina porridge is a rich source of starch, a pure and fast carbohydrate. A large amount of carbohydrates can raise blood sugar levels, and high sugar levels - hyperglycemia -