Search for

2007-10-12

Benefits of whole grains

What is whole grain

A grain consists of three parts – bran, germ and endosperm, and when they are all present, they are considered as full grain. Often grains are refined by grinding and polishing to appeal to less knowledgeable people. Some people do not like whole grain because they don't look beautifully white and may feel "grainy" when they chew on them. I love whole meal bread not only because I believe they are more healthy, but I like to chew on them, and they don't kind of stick to the gum when I eat them compared with white bread. Many healthful and nutritious ingredients are removed by the grinding and polishing process and become nutritionally deficient. Some have said that they have observed bugs dying when trying to sustain themselves on refined grains in silos.

Benefits of whole grains

Whole grains have more dietary fiber, protein (especially the amino acid lysine which cannot be synthesized by our body and is a building block for proteins plus it plays a crucial role in the production of various enzymes, hormones, and disease-fighting antibodies), dietary minerals like selenium, magnesium, phoosphorus and manganese. Whole grains also contains vitamins like vitamin B6, vitamin E and niacine. Most of the antioxidants and vitamins are found in the germ and the bran of a grain which are removed by refining.

Many believe whole grains help to maintain a healthy heart. The most important benefit of whole grain compared to refined grain is the dietary fiber which is deficient in refined grain. Dietary fiber helps reduce the incidence of digestive system diseases, some forms of cancer, gum disease, coronary heart disease. It is also believed to help reduce the chances of one getting diabetes because carbohydrates from whole grains are digested and retard the entrance of sugar into the bloodstream. And of course it helps one have more frequent and easier bowel movements which is important to have a healthy colon and probably reduces the chances of developing piles because one do not need to strain hard to defaecate.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Hi! You've been quoted for Your Healthy Food Grocery List!

LinkWithin

Blog Widget by LinkWithin