What is wheat germ?
As the name suggests, the germ is the part of the seed that germinates. It is the inner part that looks like a small bump on the grain, since it is the part that gives birth to a new plant, it is a very nutritious food.
In addition, most wheat products, such as flour, do not contain wheat germ, because the refining process removes it. This is because its high fatty acid content contributes to the flour going rancid faster, which is not recommended.
If you want to consume wheat germ, you should choose whole grain products, oils or the wheat seeds themselves, although there are also specialized products such as wheat germ powder or flakes.
Wheat germ is above all a food with a high nutritional value, rich in carbohydrates and proteins, but it also contains fiber, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins A, B, C and D, and minerals such as magnesium, zinc, calcium, iron, phosphorus and potassium. Thanks to this rich nutritional composition, these are the main properties of wheat germ:
- Energetic: Its high carbohydrate and protein content makes it an exceptional food for athletes and those who need additional energy in their diet.
- Antioxidant: It is also a high-capacity antioxidant that helps the body slow down premature cell aging, which we notice more in the skin or hair, but it affects the health of all organs.
- Digestive: Thanks to its fiber content, it is a good intestinal regulator.
- Remineralizing: It is rich in calcium, zinc, iron, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium, which makes it useful in the prevention and treatment of anemia and osteoporosis, among others.
- Lipid-lowering: that is, it has the ability to help regulate cholesterol, helping to maintain the levels of both bad and good cholesterol at an optimal point for health
- Hypoglycemic: A diet rich in carbohydrates raises blood sugar. Diabetics take care of the proper dosage of carbohydrates.
