HWK 7 Elisa
HWK 7 Elisa
4. Whole grains and refined grains are very different in terms of their nutritional
composition and processing. These differences have an important impact on
our health. Whole grains contain all three parts of the grain kernel: the bran,
germ, and endosperm. The bran is the outer protective layer and is rich in
fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The germ is the nutrient-rich core, containing
fat acids, vitamins, and minerals. The endosperm is the inner starch part.
Refined grains have had the bran and germ removed during processing,
leaving only the endosperm. This gives as a consequence the loss of many
nutrients, including fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. Whole
grains are high in dietary fiber, both soluble and insoluble, and refined
grains are lower in fiber because the bran, which contains most of the fiber,
is removed during processing. Taking about nutrient density, whole grains
provide a wide variety of vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins,
magnesium, iron, zinc, and phytonutrients. They are also a good source of
healthy fats and protein. Refined grains are less nutrient-dense because of
the removal of the bran and germ. Some examples of whole grains are oats,
brown rice, whole wheat, quinoa, and barley. Refined grains include white
rice, white bread, and most commercial pasta products.
You can differentiate between whole and refined-grain foods by examining
food labels. To identify whole grains, you can look for ingredients that
mention "whole" or "whole grain." For example, "whole wheat flour," "whole
oats," or "whole grain brown rice" which indicates that the product contains
whole grains. The word "whole" should appear before the name of the grain.
On the other hand, looking for refined grain products often list ingredients
like "enriched flour," "wheat flour," or "degerminated cornmeal." This
indicates that the grains used in the product have undergone processing
that removes the bran and germ, leaving only the endosperm.