In the world of health, beauty, and fitness, the popularity of wheat germ has seen a rise. What is the reason for this? What does wheat germ bring to the table? Is all the hype around it deserved?
What is Wheat Germ?
Wheat is an essential food in many parts of the world. However, not a lot of people are familiar with wheat germ, which is that part of the kernel that supports the reproduction and development of new wheat. This is because it is usually removed along with the husk when processing most wheat products, such as white flour, as doing so prolongs their storage period.
Loaded with nutrients, wheat germ is available in raw form, and is usually added to cornbread, cereals, and granola. It is also a popular topping for ice cream, yogurt, and fruit pies. Because of its nutritional value, it is recommended as a replacement for breadcrumbs in recipes such as meatloaf, meatballs, and burgers and can even be used in baking or other recipes. It can also be found in a liquid form and in gel caps as nutritional supplements.
What are the Benefits of Wheat Germ?
Wheat germ offers many health benefits including:
Increased energy and immunity – Do you find yourself feeling tired or getting sick often? Because wheat germ oil is packed with essential vitamins and minerals, it can help your body keep its energy levels up and be stronger against viruses, bacteria, and other health threats.
Lower cholesterol levels – Have you started getting more concerned about your cholesterol levels? Because wheat germ contains high amounts of omega 3 fatty acids, it promotes metabolism, lipid breakdown, and absorption, reducing bad cholesterol and increasing good cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. This minimizes your risk of a heart attack and other heart-related issues.
Healthier hair and skin – These days there are more and more articles on the internet discussing the benefits of using wheat germ oil for hair or wheat germ oil for skin. Because wheat germ contains an abundance of vitamin E, antimicrobial agents, and antioxidants, supplementing with wheat germ oil for hair and skin health can be very effective. It helps keep the hair roots and follicles healthy and promotes growth, softness, smoothness, volume, and body. It is also effective at keeping dandruff and dry skin at bay. Meanwhile, using wheat germ oil for skin could delay the signs of aging. It can treat dark spots, acne, scars, and dryness. A few drops of wheat germ oil could also reduce damage to your skin cells, and minimize fine lines, wrinkles, and other blemishes, leaving you with a fresher appearance.
Lower stress levels – Are you not sleeping or eating enough because of your very stressful job or family life? Because wheat germ is an excellent source of vitamin D, it has stress and pain-relieving effects. When consumed, it helps your nervous system improve its functions, lowering the tension, pressure, depression, anxiety, and other negative feelings or emotions you have. Whether taken as a supplement or used as body massage oil, it can lessen the intensity of pain and discomfort while also improving mood and memory.
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