Cereals are edible seeds or grains of the grass family, and include wheat, oats, rye, barley, rice, maize, sorghum, and millet. Most grains are rich sources of carbohydrates but comparatively low in protein and naturally deficient in calcium and vitamin A.
Cereals are essential crops for human nutrition, with rice alone being the staple food for more than half of the world population. Cereals and cereal flours are extensively used in making of breads, pasta, biscuits, cakes and also for animal feeds as well as brewing. Want to import cereals? Read on to know how you can do so cost-effectively.
Rice is the primary cereal grain of tropical and some temperate regions. Wheat is another extensively grown cereal crop in the planet and can be used in myriad culinary applications. Oats are naturally high in beta-glucan, a soluble fiber that can assist in blood sugar control after meals. Barley is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial plant compounds. Rye is rich in fiber which stimulates the bowel function and reduces the risk of constipation.
Sorghum comes with high levels of manganese, which assists in maintaining calcium levels in the body as manganese increases calcium absorption. Corn is the most widely grown cereal and along with wheat and rice is responsible for approximately 90 percent of the world cereal production. The high fiber content in corn aids in digestion. Quinoa is gluten-free, high in protein, and can help improve metabolic health. Millets are native to India; they have a low glycemic index which helps in stabilizing the blood sugar levels.
Cereals and cereal products are high in energy, carbohydrates, protein, fiber, as well as variety of micronutrients such as vitamin E, some B vitamins, magnesium, and zinc.
Wholegrain cereals offer comprehensive health benefits, whereas refined grains lose many of the nutrients during the refining process. The bran of the grains is the fiber rich outer layer that supplies iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, antioxidants, and phytochemicals. The germ – the core of the seed - is rich in healthy fats, vitamin E, B vitamins, phytochemicals and antioxidants. The endosperm provides carbohydrates, proteins, and small amounts of B vitamins and minerals.
According to evidence, the daily consumption of wholegrain cereals can help prevent chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, and diabetes.
