Wheat bran - good and bad

Bran is a hard shell of grain, a by-product of flour-milling. Let's try to figure out what is the use of wheat bran and whether they can cause harm.

What is useful for wheat bran?

The flower shell (peel) of the grain, the cereal germ and the Ayleronic layer enter the bran. The latter is a layer of large thick-walled cells filled with proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals.

Thus, up to 90% of the useful substances contained in whole grains fall into the "waste". So, in wheaten bran are present:

• vitamins A, E;
• vitamins of group B;
• potassium;
• calcium;
• iodine;
• sodium;
• magnesium;
• copper;
• phosphorus;
• pantothenic omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids;
• a large amount of fiber and coarse plant fibers.

At the same time the caloric content of the product is only 150-200 kcal per 100 grams.

Useful properties of wheat bran:

1. Fiber and fibers contained in bran have a beneficial effect on the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, normalize its work, prevent the emergence of dysbiosis , have a cleansing effect on the intestines.
2. Fiber slows down the digestibility of carbohydrates, and therefore increases the level of sugar in the blood, so that wheat bran is useful in diabetes and excess weight.
3. As a product rich in fiber, bran quickly swells in the stomach, creating a sense of saturation, and long enough to digest.
4. The vitamins and minerals contained in the bran have a beneficial effect on the work of the internal organs, normalize the functioning of the cardiovascular system, promote the excretion of cholesterol and slags from the body, and prevent the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.

Wheat bran in folk medicine

In addition to the fact that wheat bran is a diet food, the decoction of them is often used for medicinal purposes.

Wheat bran from constipation:

1. Two tablespoons of bran, pour a glass of milk.
2. Boil for 15 minutes over low heat.
3. Drink the broth twice a day for a month.

Decoction for the treatment of bronchitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis:

1. 200 grams of bran pour a liter of boiling water.
2. Cook for 10 minutes, then strain and add honey to taste.
3. Drink instead of tea throughout the day.

Decoction from a bladder ulcer:

1. 200 grams of bran pour a liter of boiling water.
2. Cook for an hour, then drain.
3. Drink half a cup before meals, for a month.

Forms of wheat bran

In the store you can find wheat bran of two kinds:

• crushed;
• granular.

Shredded bran is not subjected to additional processing, but they must be steamed for 25-30 minutes before consumption. Granulated wheat bran can be immediately poured with milk, kefir or added to the dishes at your discretion, but they often add salt, sugar, other food and flavor additives.

Contraindications to the reception of wheat bran

It would seem that after all that has been said above, the benefits of wheat bran to the body are unquestionable. But do not forget that any product has contraindications, and abuse of it instead of the expected benefits can do much harm. Since in some cases the stomach requires a gentle regimen, and bran is a fairly coarse food, they are contraindicated when:

• colitis ;
• gastritis;
• stomach ulcer in the stage of exacerbation.

You can not combine the use of bran with a low-calorie diet, as this can lead to the exhaustion of the body and the decline of strength.

Bran helps to bind and remove from the body not only the slag, but also any substances, including useful ones. Therefore, their prolonged use in large quantities can lead to hypovitaminosis or a lack of certain trace elements.

The daily dose in the diet of wheat bran for a person should not exceed 30 grams.