Wheat germ is a common health food item, available in most health food stores and from online retailers. You can add wheat germ to just about any food item, including breads, health drinks and cereals. Wheat germ does not create a major change in taste, and the texture of breads with wheat germ is similar to those without. By adding wheat germ to bread, you can improve your food's health value with little difficulty.
Features
The wheat germ is a small section of the wheat kernel or berry in a grain of wheat. This is the reproductive part of the wheat kernel, which, after germination, grows into wheat grass. Due to its importance in wheat growth, wheat germ stores the majority of a wheat kernel's fats and nutrients.
Nutrients
The major reason to use wheat germ in bread is the nutritional value. Wheat germ contains a high number of essential nutrients. According to MayoClinic.com, these include protein, helpful fats and fiber. Other nutrients in wheat germ include vitamins E and B6, folic acid, niacin, thiamin, magnesium, riboflavin, phosphorus, iron, potassium and zinc.
Benefits
The presence of wheat germ in bread offers many health benefits. The high vitamin E content in wheat germ brings antioxidants into your diet, which can help with skin health and can also combat some of the effects of aging. Wheat germ contains phytoserol and omega-3 fatty acids, both of which may help to lower cholesterol and improve heart health. The fiber in wheat germ helps to improve bowel function, combats weight gain and may lower your risk for heart disease. Wheat germ is also a source for folic acid, a nutrient essential for pregnant women.
Size
When baking bread with wheat germ, there are a few standard substitutions that you can use. Typically, you can replace between 1/2 cup and 1 cup of flour with wheat germ. You may need to add extra water to your recipe when you do this, however, as wheat germ can absorb more moisture than standard flour. Add 1 to 2 tbsp. of water for each 1/4 cup of added wheat germ. Individual, predetermined recipes may have variations on these amounts, so be sure to follow the directions.
Warning
Due to a high amount of unsaturated fat, wheat germ tends to go rancid rather quickly. You can store wheat germ on the shelf for up to one year if the container is unsealed. After opening, make sure the wheat germ is in a closed container and refrigerated. It should last up to nine months. You can check your wheat germ's freshness by the smell: Fresh wheat germ should smell like toasted nuts and should not have any mustiness.
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