A whole grain is made up of three parts- the bran, endosperm and germ.

By now, I’m sure you’ve heard that you are supposed to be eating whole grains every day to reduce your risk factors for heart disease and cancer. How much and what type vary, but the message is the same: eating more whole grains and less refined grains is good for your health.

But did you know that the grain as a whole is better for you than eating the parts separately? Studies have shown that certain phytochemicals are released from the grain structure when the grain is processed to remove parts (1). While times are certainly changing, some companies purchase the white flour to bake bread and add a portion of bran back into the bread to make wheat bread. It looks like whole grain bread, but it’s not and it will not help your heart.

Be sure to check the labels on the wheat bread you are buying for the terms “whole grain wheat” and/or the Whole Grain Stamp from the Whole Grains Council. Some bread makers that we love for their superb bread and honest ingredients are Dave’s Killer Bread, Oroweat and Silver Hills Bakery.

(1) http://www.wholegrainscouncil.org/files/SlavinArticle0504.pdf