The Cultural Priming of Wheat

This paper investigates the cultural, institutional, and agroecological mechanisms thatconsolidated the global dietary prominence of wheat (Triticum spp.) and the structuralmarginalization of alternative starch crops, focusing on the potential of cassava (Mani-hot esculenta) to diversify the Western carbohydrate matrix. We formulate and examinethe hypothesis of intergenerational cultural priming and symbolic endorsement originat-ing in the Judeo-Christian biblical corpus and subsequent canon law, evaluating its roleas a driver of institutional path dependency and status hierarchies in global food sys-tems. Methodologically, the inquiry articulates four analytical dimensions: (1) a compar-ative philological and archaeogenomic examination of grain hierarchies across antiquity,contrasting Mediterranean lehem with the Chinese counter-example (mian/mai withinthe Wugu system), demonstrating cultural adoption without sacramental priming; (2) asocio-historical analysis of dietary colonialism, humoral physiology, and sacramental ju-risprudence in the Americas; (3) a molecular and epidemiological audit of wheat-relateddisorders affecting up to ≈ 15% of the population (celiac disease, amylase-trypsin in-hibitor [ATI] TLR4 innate activation, and FODMAP fructan fermentation), evaluatingthe hypoallergenic, low-FODMAP buffer of the cassava matrix and modern Chinese ta-ble cultivars (SC-9, SC-15, GR-13 ); and (4) an agroecological assessment of nutrientcycling, respiratory agrochemical drift, subterranean organ insulation, and phosphorusbottlenecks (Peak Phosphorus and Chinese strategic reserves), highlighting mycorrhizalsymbiosis (Glomus spp.) and circular bioeconomy innovations.