John Myers
In order to integrate superfoods into your diet, you don’t have to resort to exotic foods. Wheat germs are real nutrient bombs and are incidental to flour production. Read here what exactly is in it and what the cheap germs can be used for.
Versatile and healthy: wheat germ
The wheat germ is the part of the wheat grain from which a new plant can grow. When the grain is ground into flour, it is removed and hopefully not thrown away: Because the nutrient content is impressive! Wheat germ is one of the best vitamin B1 foods and also contains the other B vitamins. For example, anyone who wants to ensure a good supply of vitamin B9 is well served: wheat germ is on the list of folic acid foods. The tiny creatures also provide vitamins E and K as well as potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper, and manganese. Wheat germ also contains spermidine: This is an endogenous substance that is said to have an effect as a fountain of youth. This has not been proven and you should be skeptical about the corresponding advertising promises for wheat germ extract and other “miracle cures”.
Integrate wheat germ into your diet
If you want to eat more wheat germ, there are many ways to include it in your diet. The only thing to note is that wheat germ is not gluten-free. They are therefore not suitable for people suffering from celiac disease or allergies. The easiest way is to sprinkle the germs in your muesli, porridge, yoghurt and quark dishes, fruit salads, or in your morning smoothie. You can also add them to soups, stews, or sauces, use them as a topping over salads, or as an ingredient in baking. Our Indian flatbread chapati, for example, is one of the recipes in which wheat germ fits as an ingredient. However, excessive heating leads to a loss of nutrients: if you want to benefit from the full power of vitamins, minerals, and unsaturated fatty acids, it is better to eat wheat germ cold or only slightly heated.
Make your own wheat germ and store it properly
Instead of buying them ready-made, you can make your own wheat germ. For this you need a sprouting glass or a plastic germination box. Germinable cereal grains can be germinated within a few days with a constant supply of moisture. Keep raw, fresh wheat germ in the refrigerator and use it up quickly, as it goes rancid easily. Raw products from the trade can sometimes be kept for several weeks – pay attention to the best-before date on the packaging.
