It is common to find many foods with high caloric content on the market and few with a significant concentration of nutrients that help meet all the body’s needs for vitamins and minerals. Wheat germ is one of those few foods whose principal property is its nutritional content: iron, folic acid, potassium, B vitamins, zinc, selenium, and phosphorus, among others.
Although wheat germ is considered a natural remedy for many conditions and is one of the few foods that offer such a load of nutrients, in some cases, its consumption is not recommended since it can cause some adverse side effects in some instances. In this FastlyHealarticle you can learn everything about wheat germ: properties and contraindications.
Table of Contents
What is wheat germ?
Wheat is composed of two fundamental parts: the bran, the outer and fibrous layer, and the germ, rich in fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Wheat germ is obtained after grinding wheat, resulting in a highly caloric cereal that offers 52 calories for every two tablespoons. Likewise, it is essential to note that because it is derived from wheat, the germ contains gluten, so people with celiac disease must keep it out of their diet to avoid complications.
It is rich in nutrients.
Among the properties of wheat germ, its nutritional power stands out, which offers the body a great source of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein to help the body meet its daily nutrient needs. The composition of wheat germ is so complete that every 100 grams contain:
- 366 calories.
- 1.7 grams of saturated fatty acids.
- Six grams of polyunsaturated fatty acids.
- 1.3 grams of monounsaturated fatty acids.
- 6 milligrams of sodium.
- 1,907 milligrams of potassium.
- 49 grams of carbohydrates.
- 12 grams of fiber.
- 31 grams of protein.
- Six milligrams of vitamin C.
- 0.2 UG of vitamin B12.
- 313 milligrams of magnesium.
- 0.6 milligrams of vitamin B6.
- 50 milligrams of calcium.
- 8.3 milligrams of iron.
Strengthens the immune system
The stronger our immune system, the better our body is to defend itself against bacteria, viruses, or diseases that want to attack it. By consuming wheat germ, we can take advantage of the antioxidant action that vitamin C offers to reverse the function of free radicals in the body, stimulating cellular aging and increasing the risk of suffering from cancer, such as breast cancer. And colon.
By increasing the antioxidant activity in the body, free radicals and any other virus, germ, or bacteria that want to affect the body are destroyed, which undoubtedly reduces the chances of disease in people. The antioxidant effect also helps reduce high blood cholesterol levels. It stimulates the production of elastin and collagen, substances responsible for maintaining skin tone and preventing the formation of wrinkles and furrows.
Have you ever wondered why you get sick so often? Perhaps in the wheat germ, you find an ally.
Benefits for the cardiovascular system
LDL cholesterol, better known as bad cholesterol, has already been oxidized and accumulates in the arteries and veins, where it intervenes in plaque formation, a sticky substance capable of blocking blood flow and whose excess is one of the leading causes of myocardial infarction. For this reason, it is so essential for heart health to keep blood cholesterol levels under control to prevent the hardening and narrowing of the arteries.
Both the antioxidant action of wheat germ and its high content of octacosanol, a natural oil, help to reduce high levels of cholesterol in the blood, thus increasing cardiovascular health and preventing heart diseases such as hypertension, heart attack, atherosclerosis, and cerebrovascular accidents.
Helps prevent cancer
Adding wheat germ to our diet or using wheat germ oil to flavor our preparations and salads is a great help to offer all its nutrients in a natural and intact way and prevent diseases as necessary as cancer. It turns out that a study found that the consumption of germ increases the production of natural killer cells, which intervene positively in the body, eliminating malignant cells and tumors. Similarly, the content of vitamin C and essential omega-three acids also help prevent cellular aging, avoiding some types of cancer.
Cellular energy source
Wheat germ is rich in thiamine, folates, and niacin, types of B vitamins essential for the body since they intervene in cell metabolism helping the body more efficiently transform the nutrients of carbohydrates, fats, and glucose to use as energy for cells. Likewise, the thiamine contained in wheat germ also exerts another important metabolic function, and that is that it helps to improve any metabolic disorder such as obesity, stimulating weight loss.
It is suitable for pregnant women.
One of the main properties of wheat germ is the high content of folic acid that it offers just by incorporating it into our diet. Remember that folic acid plays a fundamental role in the development of the fetus during pregnancy, as it helps prevent congenital malformations, promotes brain development, and prevents spina bifida.
In addition, folic acid, along with vitamins C and B, helps the body break down and create new proteins. This natural compound that the body does not produce also stimulates the production of red blood cells, thus helping to oxygenate the body and prevent conditions such as anemia.
Other properties of wheat germ
- Due to its content in the B vitamin thiamine, wheat germ converts carbohydrates into energy and supports the health of the heart and the nervous system.
- There is a lot of potassium that wheat germ offers. This mineral is one of the most important substances to balance the body’s pH, fighting acidity that is so closely related to cancer.
- Protects cells and tissues due to its vitamin E content.
- Magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus help keep bones healthy and strong.
- Wheat germ is an excellent source of fiber that helps stimulate intestinal transit and liver function, cleanses the body, detoxifies the body, and absorbs accumulated fat.
Wheat germ contraindications
- Due to its gluten content, it should not be consumed by people with celiac disease.
- As we mentioned initially, it is a food rich in nutrients, but it also offers a high caloric content, so it is necessary to control your daily intake to avoid weight gain.
- Its consumption is not recommended for those who are recovering from appendicitis.
- People with irritable bowel or diarrhea should consume wheat germ in small quantities, as this food stimulates intestinal transit.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.