I know you’re probably familiar with wheat, but have you ever heard of wheat germ? Just like wheat, wheat germ is oozing with healthy nutrients. It holds a lot of health benefits, able to boost immunity, protect against cancer and cardiovascular disease, reduce the signs of aging, increase stamina and muscle development, heal wounds, increase mental agility, aid in digestion, help with weight loss and prevent arterial damage. If you want to learn more about wheat germ, give this article a read!
Wheat Germ: What Is It?
Wheat germ comes from the wheat kernel, an important part of the plant’s natural reproduction. This small, nutrient-rich center comprises about 2.5 percent of the kernel’s weight, yet it is heavy in valuable attributes, containing the nutrients necessary for the plant to grow and mature into a new, healthy organism. For many years, wheat kernels were mainly used to mill flour, wherein the germ and the bran parts were thrown away casually. The end product? White flour. This particular kind of flour has little to no nutritional value. As a matter of fact, once bleach and synthetic vitamins are added to the flour, it does more harm than good to your health.
If you extract the wheat germ from the kernel and isolate it into natural oils, or if you eat the grain whole, the nutritional content of the germ may be consumed by the body. More often than not, the oil is used as a baking or cooking oil, or to get more highly concentrated dosages of wheat germ in pasta sauces or salads. Nevertheless, it must not be used in frying, as most of its nutrients will get lost if it’s heated to that level.
Wheat germ can be added to smoothies or desserts or even used as a substitute for flour and breadcrumbs in various recipes. Nowadays, people are more careful about their health status, and they will benefit greatly from its nutrients. Almost all stores now sell raw wheat germ in the cereal aisle, so get creative and get cooking!
Nutritional Value of Wheat Germ
Even though wheat germ is small, its nutrients are formidable and impressive. Wheat germ is a powerhouse of protein, complex carbs, fiber and energy. All of these interact with the internal systems of the body. Significant daily vitamins like vitamin B, vitamin E, and folate can also be found in high quantities, as well as iron, potassium, selenium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and zinc.
Wheat germ also contains omega 3 fatty acids, one of the most important and valuable forms of cholesterol in the body. It is important to get a daily dose of these.
Health Benefits of Wheat Germ
Here are some of the most fascinating health benefits of wheat germ:
- Helps prevent diabetes. The abundance of folic acid in wheat germ benefits those at risk of diabetes.
- Aids in muscle health. Wheat germ may be one of the greatest sources of protein in the diet. Protein is an essential part in maintaining healthy muscles, regulating energy levels, aiding in homeostasis and regulating energy levels.
- Helps improve cellular metabolism. The vitamin B content of wheat germ is essential for cellular metabolism. It aids in the transformation of glucose into consumable energy for the cells and transform the nutrients which come from carbs.
- Helps prevent cancer. This is one of the best health benefits of wheat germ. It can help reduce the risk of various types of cancer. Wheat germ may not look that impressive, but its effects are staggering.
- Helps improve heart health. Studies show that consuming whole wheat grain may help reduce the risk of coronary heart conditions and may increase the overall health status of the cardiovascular system.
Truly, the wheat germ isn’t just a small portion of a plant. It is packed with health-promoting prowess.
