For a food to be described as wholegrain it should contain all the essential parts and naturally-occurring nutrients of the entire grain seed.
The goodness of grains comes from all three layers: bran, endosperm and germ.
Bran is the tough, fibrous outer layer that protects the inside of the kernel. The next layer is the starchy endosperm, a storehouse of energy for the germ inside the endosperm. As the seed’s reproductive kernel, the germ contains vitamins, minerals, and unsaturated oils.
A cup of whole grains delivers about 10% of our daily protein requirements.
For vegetarians and vegans, combining whole grains with legumes and seeds will provide a complete source of protein.
As well as being a source for essential vitamins such as thiamine (B1), niacin (B3) pyroxidine (B6), and vitamin E, wheat, barley, buckwheat, millet, rye, and brown rice are good sources of minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, copper and selenium. Oats also include iron and zinc in the package, while quinoa and mung beans supply folic acid.
Whole-grains and whole-legumes have a high content of dietary fibre which, along with adequate daily intake of water (make sure it’s filtered), assists with problems such as constipation.
Studies also suggest that the phytophenols in whole-grain fibre may protect against digestive cancers (1).
A recent meta-analysis indicated that high intake of whole grains is associated with reduced risk for type 2 diabetes (2).
And eating more whole grains has also been shown to protect against heart disease (3).
Overly refined grains have lost more than half their B vitamins, 90 percent of the vitamin E, and virtually all of the fibre.
This makes the starch easily accessible to our body’s starch-digesting enzymes, spiking blood sugar and creating that sugar high, then the ‘crash and burn’ after-effect.
Overall, the evidence suggests that whole grains are an entire nutritional package,
and when the elements are intact they work together.
To maximise nutrition and minimise processing it also makes sense to choose organic whole grains.
Sustainable organic farming focuses on nutrient rich soils so that the plant can extract the maximum nutrients and minerals during the growing season. In addition organic grains have not been treated with herbicides and pesticides on the farm, or while being stored at the mill.
Be wary of ‘wholemeal’ products, which may appear healthy.
Organic grains, even the white flours, usually undergo much less processing than conventional grains.
Conventionally milled wheat often has the bran layer removed (to make white flour), and then added back to create ‘wholemeal’ flour. Bread made with this flour can spike blood sugar as much as refined white flours.4 So look for products that are genuinely wholegrain.
If you eat cereals or toast for breakfast choose whole grains such as rolled oats or quinoa flakes to avoid a mid-morning energy slump. Try adding some seeds and nuts for that extra sustained release of energy.
If you do like white bread, then go for sourdough.
In one study researchers noticed that sourdough outperformed conventionally baked breads in different measures of glycemic and metabolic response. It seems that fermentation changes the nature of the starches in the grain, slowing our digestion process for a sustained release of the sugars in the starch (5). It’s now well known that blood sugar spikes lead to many long-term health issues that can be avoided. It may be the main reason whole grains are so good for us.
References
1. “Bound phytophenols from ready-to-eat cereals: Comparison with other plant-based foods”, Food Chemistry. 2013 Dec 1; 141(3):2880-6. (Neacsu et al.) http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814613006067
2. “Whole grain and refined grain consumption and the risk of type 2 diabetes”; European Journal of Epidemiology. 2013 Nov; 28(11):845-58. (Aune et al.) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24158434
3. “Whole-grain consumption and risk of coronary heart disease: results from the Nurses’ Health Study1,2,3,” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, September 1999 vol. 70 no. 3 412-419; http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/70/3/412.short
4. “Sourdough Bread Has Most Health Benefits, Prof Finds”; July 07, 2008 – News Release. http://www.uoguelph.ca/news/2008/07/sourdough_bread.html
5. Ibid. Also: Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism. 2012; 2012:184710. Mofidi et al. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22474577
This article first appeared in Healthy You Magazine, Winter 2014 issue.
13 Responses
Bought Organic Rolled Oates but no recipe on it for making porridge. Tried to make it with the other brand of rolled oats but it was a mess. Have got no where searching your site for porridge. Can you help or do I have to stop buying it.
Many thanks
Elaine
Hi Elaine – I’ve done a blog post on how to make the perfect porridge. Porridge is not difficult to make but you can’t walk away and ignore it for long. If you soak overnight it will only take about 5mins to cook to a creamy consistency. See more in this blog post http://kiallafoods.com.au/make-a-perfect-porridge/
You can also search for ‘porridge’ using our search bar top right of each web page and this will bring up the same blog post.
Thanks,
Sheridan
Hi Sheridan,
Any further information on thd health benefits of stonegound wholewheat flour , flatbreads,yeast breads and sourdoughs?
At the moment using Jimmys Atta from Coles but would like to source Organic at reasonable price.
Regards Dunca
Hi Duncan – are you referring to making your own breads with the stoneground flour? Or buying them ready-made? Not familiar with the Jimmys Atta brand. Anecdotal evidence from professional artisan bakers that we supply indicates that slow fermented sourdoughs produce bread products that are easier to digest and thus the nutrition inherent in the wholegrains are more likely to be better absorbed by our digestive systems. Academic research is also starting to look into this and early results support what artisan bakers hear from their consumers. In respect to organic at a reasonable price we supply our Hero range – including our StoneGround Wholegrain Flour at prices that are very reasonable (RRP $6) in comparison to major flour brands (we’re not talking home-brand here). We also hear back from our customers that the quality of organic flour is noticeably better. If you can’t find our organic flour in your local IGA or organic supplier try online shops.
Dear Sir,
Does your organic spelt grains contain 14, 28 or 42 chromosomes?
According to Dr. Wighard Strehlow, an authority on the
works of Saint Hildegard of Bingen, spelt grains that contain 42 chromosones are the best and the healthiest grains gifted to mankind by God.
Thanking you
Vince Pinzone
Hi Vincent, I really do not not know how many chromosomes it has. We do not get it tested for this purpose. Sorry I cannot help you with your query. Thank you for the interesting information!
Sheridan
Hello,
would you know what % protein the Kialla white is which is available and I purchase in NZ. thank you. JO
Hi Jan, our white unbleacehed flour is 11% protein. We don’t currently have a NZ stockist however that could change soon.
Hi,
I would like to know what protein % Organic Stoneground Wholegrain Bakers Flour has and where I can purchase a 20kg bag close to where I leave (Wakeley-Post Code 2176 NSW) or order it online.
I appreciate your help
Fernando
Hello Fernando, we recommend that you use our Locate a Retailer feature (see menu at top of web page) and call ahead to check if the retailer stocks the larger bags, as we distribute our products via a middleman we aren’t always aware of who stocks the 20kg products. Alternatively you can order the 20kg bags online from https://purewellness.com.au/
Just wondering if your your products are fortified with folic acid during the milling process? I’ve looked at the foodstandards.gov.AU website and it say organic flour doesn’t require it, I’m just hoping to confirm that your flour is not fortified. Thanks
There is no folic acid added to our flours Tim. Fortunately, it is not acceptable as an organic additive. Far better not to source our folic acid from food additives!