Is Whole Grain Pasta Better For You?

Certain people cannot eat simple carbohydrate due to health conditions, such as high blood glucose or diabetes. Others choose to reduce their risk of developing these conditions by opting for whole grain complex carbohydrates. Whole grain pasta comes in every pasta form and contains several well known and hidden health benefits.

What Is Whole Grain?

Whole grains are grains that retain the entire grain seed; this includes the endosperm, germ and bran. The bran and germ in a whole grain contains minerals, antioxidants, vitamins and fiber; all of which are vital to human health and well being. In refined pastas, these parts are removed, which makes the remaining product virtually void of any nutrients.

What Is Fiber?

Whole grain pasta is loaded with health-boosting fiber. The two forms of fiber are insoluble fiber and soluble fiber. Insoluble fiber helps the movement of excrement through the digestive systems and bulks it up, which makes it easier to pass. Soluble fiber dissolves in water and becomes a jelly-like substance. This form of fiber is readily found in fruit, vegetables, beans, oats, apples and carrots. Whole grain pasta can contain both, but mainly contains insoluble fiber, which is contained in whole wheat flour and wheat bran.

Health Benefits

The fiber in whole grain pasta helps to promote healthy digestion, normal bowel movements, lowers cholesterol if the pasta contains oats or flaxseed, aids in weight loss and helps to normalized blood sugar levels. According to MayoClinic, a high-fiber diet will lower the risk of developing hemorrhoids and type 2 diabetes.

Varieties

As of 2005, there were more than 48 varieties of whole grain pastas available for purchase, according to Cooking Light. Look for the kinds that read 100 percent whole grain to reap the full benefit of eating whole grain pasta.

Nutrition Facts

In addition to the heart and digestive helping fiber content of whole grains, whole grain pasta also contains the B vitamins: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and folate, which help stabilize metabolism and maintain the nervous system. Whole grain pasta also contains iron, which is needed in the body to transport oxygen through the blood. Eating the pasta with pasta sauce, which is rich in vitamin C, will help the body to absorb the iron.