Many people do not about the nutritional value of wheat germ. In fact their knowledge of wheat does not transcend the wheat kernel, the hard outer part of the wheat grain. As such, they do not get the full benefit of the wheat grain. I am here to enlighten you about the nutritional value of wheat germ. This is the part that is removed during the milling process and unfortunately, most of the wheat products you consume are devoid of this part. The white wheat flour that you regularly buy for chapatti and pastry has no wheat germ hence nutritionally scores low except for high carbohydrates.
Nutritionally, the wheat germ is added in breakfast meals in the form of whole meal wheat flour products. There are several whole meal wheat products that you can list here: Oat meal, weetabix among others. Not only are they crunchy, they also add that ‘nut’ like taste to fruit salads. The reason why it is a preferable whole meal is the fact it is rich in fibre. Fibre is the undigested indigestible part of ingested food that adds bulk to stool in the colon hence aiding in bowel movement. For the wheat germ, it provides you with the insoluble fibre that not only has a laxative effect; it passes through your gut intact hence speeding up digestion. It is insoluble in water.
Wheat germ is also rich in complex carbohydrates such starch found in whole meal grains such as oat meal have to be converted into simple sugars. As the process is lengthy, they supply you with a prolonged source of energy. Wheat germ is a complex carbohydrate. It therefore keeps you full for a long time hence satiated for long. It is also rich in oils. If you obtain a wheat germ and press it against your thumbs, it will excrete some whitish oil extract. This oil is used as food, hair products as well as for medicinal value. Wheat germ contains omega 3 fatty acids and trace elements.
Omega 3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats mainly found in sea animals such sardines, salmon mackerel and plant oils. The body cannot manufacture these hence the need to consume foods rich in these oils. Wheat germ readily provides you with the benefits of omega 3 fatty acids. The trace elements found in wheat germ include selenium, cobalt, copper and manganese. These are trace minerals in the sense that they are found in the body in small quantities. They help in binding to macromolecules and also for their therapeutic uses in the body.
In order to benefit wholesomely, it is important to preserve the nutritive value of the wheat germ. This calls for careful handling of wheat germ. Just as it is with other oils, exposing them to air causes them to decompose or emit a foul smell (rancid). This is due to the oxidative nature once they are exposed to air. Therefore it is imperative to put them in air tight containers. This will ensure you get the full goodness of wheat germ.
