Why are wholegrains good for you?

The health benefits associated with wholegrains may be attributed to specific nutrients present in the grain. These may act alone or in combination with other compounds present in the wholegrain such as phytonutrients.

Wholegrains are:

• low in fat saturated fat
• high in dietary fibre
• high in protein
• high in vitamins, particularly B vitamins and vitamin E
• source of minerals including zinc, magnesium, copper and iron
• good sources of antioxidants
• some wholegrains, particularly barley and oats, contain ß-glucan which has been associated with lowering blood cholesterol levels and reducing spikes in blood glucose levels after a meal.

The antioxidant content of wholegrains is similar to many fruits and vegetables.
Other components or phytonutrients that are present in wholegrains are also associated with many health benefits.