What is Wheat Germ?
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Walk past any health food store and you will no doubt see advertisements for wheat germ. Wheat germ is one of the most nutritional products available. In fact, wheat germ contains 23 nutrients, and has more nutrients per ounce than any other vegetable or grain.
Wheat germ is a part of the wheat kernel. The germ is only a very small part of the kernel, approximately 2 ½ percent in total. The word germ does not have anything to do with bacteria; it simply refers to germination. The germ is the reproductive part that germinates and forms the wheat grass.
Wheat germ is very high in protein. It contains around 28 percent protein and has more protein than can be found in most meat products. The human body needs protein in order to repair tissue damage and to help minerals and nutrients reach our cells.
The amount of nutrients that are contained within wheat germ seems endless. It contains more potassium and iron than any other food source. Also found in great quantities are riboflavin, calcium, zinc magnesium and vitamins A, B1 and B3. Vitamins B1 and 3 are very important to maintain energy levels and maintain healthy muscles, organs, hair and skin.
Another important vitamin found in wheat germ is vitamin E. Vitamin E is a very important antioxidant. It is helpful in preventing the body's aging process and also to prevent heart disease. Vitamin E also helps to prevent blood clots and is needed to strengthen the body’s immune system.
Wheat germ has been found to be very beneficial in order to keep the body in tip top condition. It is used by athletes in their diet to improve cardiovascular function and improve endurance levels. Body builders will also add wheat germ to their diets in order to bulk up and maintain the nutritional levels they need to perform.
You can buy wheat germ from all good health stores and many supermarkets will carry it as well. It can either be purchased in toasted or fresh form. There are also many food products that already contain wheat germ. A number of cereals are made with it, as well as bread and flour.
If you make your own bread or cakes you can easily add wheat germ when baking by using it instead of a small amount of flour. You will find that it has a sweet, almost nutty flavor that is not too overpowering. It can also be added to meat dishes, eggs, vegetables and even yogurt.
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New: Discuss this ArticlePosted by: anon650
I am allergic to wheat grass, does that mean I can not take wheat flour or wheat germ? are they the same thing?
Posted by: anon4616
I need information about production of Wheat Germ in industrial scale ....can you guide me...?
Posted by: olittlewood
what are some ways i can get this into my kids' food? they are pretty picky, and sneaking this into their food would probably up the healthy quotient on their meals! also, is wheat germ good if you need to get extra fiber in your diet?
Posted by: anon6649
Does wheat germ have gluten?...helen
Posted by: anon7089
I have heard that wheat germ also increases the volume and thickness of semen. Is this true?
Posted by: anon7529
Does wheat germ contain gluten?
Posted by: anon7675
I have heard that wheat germ also increases the volume and thickness of semen. Is this true?
It's true .. Wheat germ has Zinc which is very important for Semen production. Also Vitamin E and Folic acid in it helps a lot. i highly recommend it. Good for the heart too!
Kretschmer Wheat germ contains Vitamin E 20% Thiamin 10% Folic Acid 20% Phosphorous 10% Magnesium 8% Zinc 10%
Allergic or not .. better try it out. One bottle of 11oz costs about $5.
Wheat germ has lot of fiber too. If you eat too-too much you will have loose motion.
No idea about Gluten. :( Posted by: anon8127
Easy way to sneak it into your kid's foods: add it to a peanut butter sandwich. if they are used to crunchy peanut butter, they probably won't notice it. Or make bread and add it into the recipe.
My mom gave me peanut butter & honey & wheat germ sandwiches when I was little and called them "pooh bear sandwiches". I thought it was cool because it was called "pooh bear", and she was happy because I got the extra nutrients. A win-win! Editor's reply: thanks for the tip!
Posted by: anon8545
It's easy to sneak it into muffins. Just made some. It gives muffins a certain crunchiness that's pleasant.
Posted by: anon8910
To one of the above questions, NO wheat germ does not increase the amount of semen volume. I tried it and so I can tell you from my own personal experience that it will not increase volume. If you still don't believe me wheat germ is inexpensive and healthy so you can try for yourself (and it won't do you any harm).
There is only one product that I know that can dependably increase sperm volume but unfortunately it makes you blind (long term blindness) so I am not even going to name what it is here (because I do not think it is healthy for people to take it). Posted by: anon9436
"Kretschmer Wheat germ contains
Vitamin E 20%
Thiamin 10%
Folic Acid 20%
Phosphorous 10%
Magnesium 8%
Zinc 10%"
78% trace elements? Yer pullin' me leg. Posted by: anon11445
Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) has actions very similar to insulin in promoting cell division and increasing cellular glucose transport. In the ileum it causes changes similar to Celiac disease – but without generating anti-gliadin antibodies – i.e. no Celiac diagnosis and no confirmation biopsy. It also appears to damage the brush border of the intestine, where lactase is produced. There may be many people out there diagnosed with lactose intolerance simply because their lactase has been knocked out by WGA. If I were lactose intolerant I’d cut out wheat for a few weeks then challenge with dairy to see if it is true lactose intolerance. These things are never simple.
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Garry Crystal
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