Whole wheat is an unrefined whole grain. Whole-wheat pasta, such as spaghetti, contains the entire grain kernel, the germ, endosperm and bran, according to the Wheat Foods Council. Whole-wheat pasta is rich in energizing carbohydrates and protein, two macronutrients, as well as thiamin, or vitamin B1, and several minerals essential for optimum health.
Carbohydrates and Protein
Whole-grain pasta is a high-carbohydrate food. One cup of cooked whole-grain pasta provides 37 g of carbohydrates. Whole grains are also rich in protein, providing 7 g per cup, cooked, according to ELook.org. Macronutrients such as carbohydrates and protein are those you need daily in large quantities. Carbohydrates are the preferred source of energy for your muscles and brain cells. Protein provides energy but serves even more important functions in the body. The building blocks of protein, amino acids, are needed to form the structure of body cells, tissues and muscles, as well as to manufacture enzymes, hormones and antibodies, according to the McKinley Health Center of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Thiamin and Major Minerals
One cup of cooked whole-grain pasta provides 0.15 mg of thiamin, meeting 10 percent of the recommended daily value, or DV. Thiamin aids in energy metabolism and supports proper function of the nervous system. Whole-wheat spaghetti contains two major minerals: magnesium and phosphorus. A cup serving, cooked, provides 42 mg or 10 percent of the DV for magnesium and 124.6 mg or 12 percent of the DV for phosphorus. Magnesium and phosphorus aid in energy metabolism, like thiamin, and, along with the mineral calcium, are important for building and maintaining strong bones. Magnesium is used to manufacture brain chemical messengers, or neurotransmitters, which regulate bodily functions and may reduce blood pressure. Phosphorus is important for forming genetic material, such as DNA and is a component of all cell membranes.
Trace Minerals
Whole-grain pasta, unlike white-flour pasta, is particularly rich in trace minerals, such as copper, selenium and manganese. For example, 1 cup of whole-grain spaghetti, cooked, provides 0.23 mg of copper, or 11 percent of the DV; 36.3 mcg, or micrograms, of selenium or 51 percent of the DV; and 1.93 mg of manganese or 96 percent of the DV. Copper -- in conjunction with iron -- is needed to form hemoglobin, which is essential for transporting oxygen throughout the body. Copper aids in the formation of connective tissues and promotes cardiovascular and nervous system function. Selenium acts as an antioxidant, helping to support immune system health and thyroid gland function. Selenium may offer anti-cancer benefits. Manganese helps the body to use carbohydrates efficiently and aids in the formation of bone and cartilage, according to the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension.
References
- Wheat Foods Council: What Is a Whole Grain?
- ELook.org: Nutrition Information: Spaghetti, whole-wheat
- MayoClinic.com: Nutrition and Healthy Eating--What does Percent Daily Value mean on food labels?
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: McKinley Health Center: Nutrient Functions
- University of Delaware Cooperative Extension: Trace Minerals
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