HEALTHY LIVING: Wheat Bread is Nourishing and has Health Benefits

Wheat bread is a whole grain food because it contains the entire grain
kernels unlike white bread that contains processed kernels. So because
wheat bread contains the entire grain kernels it is more nutritious,
hence it is has health benefits. Here are some of the health benefits:

»Increases your Energy
Carbohydrates are always broken down into glucose, then your body uses
the glucose for energy. However, refined grains and whole grains
contain carbohydrates, but the complex carbohydrates in wheat bread is
always broken down into glucose more slowly, thereby preventing your
body from "crashing" after an energy rush. More so, complex
carbohydrates contain fewer calories and more nutrients than simple
carbohydrates. The Wheat Foods Council said that 69 percent of the
calories contained in wheat bread come from carbohydrates.


»Controls your Appetite
Wheat bread provides a lasting feeling of fullness than refined
breads, because your body digests the fiber-rich carbohydrates more
slowly than refined carbohydrates. whole grain bread has a good impact
on blood sugar and this can help to keep your appetite in check. More
so, high-fiber foods also tend to have fewer calories for their volume
than foods lower in fiber. Fiber increases the body's sense of
fullness. So diets high in fiber can help prevent over-eating and
obesity.

»Gives you a Healthy Weight Maintaining a healthy weight because of
the abundance of fiber in it. Note when you maintain a healthy weight
, your self-confidence is boosted. More so, the National Heart, Lung,
and Blood Institute notes that individuals who are overweight are at a
higher risk of developing health conditions such as type 2 diabetes,
high blood pressure and gall stones. Findings has also shown that when
you consume whole-grain and fiber-rich foods, like wheat bread you
are less likely to gain weight than when you are consuming food
products made from refined grains.

»Aids Digestion
Wheat provide excellent sources of dietary fiber, a type of
carbohydrate the body cannot digest. Fiber helps push waste through
the gastrointestinal tract which helps to prevent constipation and
diverticular disease. Constipation and straining to move the bowels
can increase pressure on the intestinal wall and lead to other
conditions such as hemorrhoids and diverticulitis. diets low in fiber
increase the risk of developing these conditions.
»Lowers the Risks of Getting Heart Diseases
This is because it dietary fiber is found in abundance, so it helps to
lower blood pressure. Therefore, it reduces the risk of hypertension
and heart disease. The whole grains can also help lower triglycerides
and insulin levels, which are risk factors for heart disease. Wheat
also contains minerals such as magnesium, selenium, copper and
manganese, and they help reduce the risk for heart diseases. Moreover,
science researchers concluded that consumers of wheat can lower their risk of
heart disease by 21 percent merely by consuming 2 ½ servings of whole
grains, such as wheat bread, each day.

»Reduces Cholesterol Level
The soluble fiber in whole grains binds to the fats in the intestines,
helping to lower cholesterol. Regular whole grain consumption can
lower total cholesterol and LDL, or "bad," cholesterol, according to
the Harvard School of Public Health.

»Gives you Strong Bones
Whole wheat contains magnesium and this helps to give you strong
bones. Magnesium, along with calcium also help to keep your bones
strong and dense. Strong bones are important for children and elderly
individuals.


»Reduces Blood Sugar
Bran and fiber in whole wheat bread help to slow the breakdown of
starch into glucose, thereby helping to keep blood sugar under
control. Whole grains and other complex carbohydrates have a much mild
effect on blood sugar than refined carbohydrates.