What the hell is the trehalose?
Trehalosa, a disaccharide that sounds as complex as a grandmother recipe, consists of two glucose molecules that are linked in a very special way. This peculiar sugar is not so weird; It appears in food that you probably already know, such as mushrooms and that golden liquid that we all like to call beer. In nature, it acts as a protective shield for cells in extreme situations, as if they were superheroes of microbiology.
The challenger who is trehalose intolerance
Although for many, the trehalosa is digestible thanks to a wonderful enzyme called Trehalase, there are those who are not so lucky. For these people, Trehalase behaves more like a ghost at a Halloween party; It appears, but does not do your job. As a result, the Trehalosa exceeds the small intestine and reaches the large intestine, where bacteria make it a kind of not so desired party: swelling, cramps and other ailments are side B of this film.
The gourmet partners of the Trehalosa
The mushroom club
Little joke with mushrooms, because they are true champions to store trehalosa as if it were gold. Apart from its use in numerous recipes, these fungi are like that friend who always has a small secret: much more trehalose than it seems.
Beer and magic
Crossing the border towards beer, Trehalosa can also make its appearance, although in small doses. During fermentation, it may not decompose completely, depending on the type of beer and its ingredients. Of course, if you like to experiment with artisanal or aging beers, you could find traces of this disaccharide, as if you were in a treasure search.
Ingredients and influences
Barley and other cereals are the pillars of brewing. During the malted, a spectacle where barley grains germinate and produce enzymes that convert starches into simple sugars, among which our friend the trehalose is. And let’s not forget the yeasts, which are like chefs behind the curtain: sugars in alcohol and produce trehalose as a byproduct, protecting their own cells along the way.
The outcome beer-trotalosa
In the end, the trehalosa can be present in beer, but its amounts are generally minimal. However, for those who have intolerance, even those little traces can wreak havoc. It is as if each sip could come with a warning: ‘Be careful, here is a small uncontrolled party!’
Final reflections
Even if the trehalose may seem a simple sugar in the list of ingredients, its impact on the lives of some people is significant. So the next time you enjoy your mushrooms or a beer, think about this little sugary hero and in which they must be careful with him. Food is a trip full of surprises, and it is always better to know in depth what we take to our dish.
