Bran is the outer layer of grains such as oats, wheat and rice. In food processing, this outer layer can be stripped from the grains creating a smoother product, but one lacking in as many health benefits. Nutritionists can wax nearly poetic about the virtues of eating bran, and why consuming it makes good sense. This is mainly because bran is insoluble dietary fiber and does not break down in the same manner, as do grains stripped of it. As a valuable source of dietary fiber, consuming bran may have tremendous benefits for the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, as a pro-biotic food, in combating heart disease, and perhaps in controlling weight.

People may associate bran with bran muffins, or types of bran cereal, and these may be fine sources of it. Most think of wheat bran, rather than oat bran, which is somewhat sweet, and to some people distasteful. Further, many think the only sources of bran in the diet is bran alone. Instead it makes better sense to consume whole grains, which are usually tastier, and being less processed are generally healthier.

In the gastrointestinal tract, bran can have great health benefits. It is a probiotic food, meaning it has natural antibacterial fighting properties. Since we now know that bacteria cause most ulcers, reducing harmful gut bacteria is a worthy goal since it can ultimately reduce the chance of getting an ulcer.

Bran also helps to bulk up and soften stool, which makes it good food for people with chronic stomach issues like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and for people with chronic constipation. It absorbs water and passes through the GI tract virtually unchanged. For people with diarrhea, bran can actually help firm up stools, but it also works in the opposite direction too. People with constipation can have softer stools as a result of eating bran and see a reduction in this problem.

Intake of bran has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels and slightly decrease risk for stroke. Numerous studies have shown that daily bran intake may in the short term reduce cholesterol by about 1.8%. Long-term benefits may result in further cholesterol drops. Since high cholesterol often leads to hardening of the arteries, dropping cholesterol levels means less risk of stroke and blood clotting.

Since bran absorbs water, it contributes to a feeling of fullness in the stomach, which may help people eat less. This in turn can mean a reduction in weight, which translates to a further reduced risk for heart disease. While bran is not proven to reduce weight, a diet high in bran can help reduce feelings of hunger.

Other possible benefits of bran include reducing risk of heart attack. Daily intake of bran may also help to prevent colon cancer. With these possible benefits, there’s very few excuses not to eat bran, but many people wonder just how much they should eat.

In general, bran should be part of the dietary fiber consumed each day. There are other foods like certain vegetables and fruit that are great sources of dietary fiber and earn their place in the diet too. In total, men and women should eat about 20-25 grams of dietary fiber a day.

Instead of bran supplements, the best way to take bran is by consuming whole grains. If you switch to whole grain cereals, rice, and bread, you’ll go a long way toward fulfilling these minimum requirements. Eating whole grains can also alleviate one of the unpleasant results of consuming too much bran too quickly. Initially, if you do supplement with bran, start small. A lot of bran consumed in a single day, particularly if your stomach is not used to it, can cause stomach upset and diarrhea.