Food Spotlight: Wheat Germ Benefits

The embryo of wheat kernel, wheat germ, is highly packed with nutrients. It is a milling byproduct. It contains genetic information for the plant to proliferate. High in amino acids, vitamins and minerals such as B vitamins, potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc and manganese. It also contains tocopherols (the major forms of vitamin E), phytosterols, policosanols, carotenoids (a precursor to form vitamin A), and flavonoids. Phytosterols are like the plant form of cholesterol but limit the absorption of intestinal cholesterol. Flavonoids are naturally produced by plants as a defense mechanism to plaque and have great antioxidant effects for humans. In plants they also act as UV filters, signaling molecules, and play a role of protecting the plant during frost and drought. When you see the beautiful colors on different plants that can be attributed to flavonoids. Policosanols is a waxy substance mainly found in cereal crops that may help lower cholesterol and enhance lipid metabolism. Wheat germ is also packed with spermidine! One tablespoon contains 2.7 of spermidine. It also contains spermine, and putrescine. High concentrations of putrescine are usually found in fruit and high spermidine concentrations found in grains. Because of it's high concentration of vitamin E, wheat germ oil for skin is found in many skincare products.

Shelf Life 

Check the label of your wheat germ for the specific shelf life. Unopened wheat germ usually will last one year. However, after opening it, it is advised to place it in the refrigerator. After opening wheat germ usually has a shelf life of 6 to 10 months. 

Nutrition Info of Wheat Germ 1 tbsp 

Nutrient	Amount
Protein	1.6638 g
Total lipid (fat)	0.6988 g
Carbohydrate	3.7231 g
Energy	25.875 kcal
Fiber	0.9488 g
Calcium	2.803 mg
Iron	0.45 mg
Magnesium	17.178 mg
Phosphorus	60.518 mg
Potassium	64.1125 mg
Sodium	0.8625 mg
Zinc	0.8831 mg
Copper	0.0575 mg
Manganese	0.9563 mg
Selenium	5.6925 mcg
Vitamin A	0 IU
Retinol	0 mcg
Vitamin C	0 mg
Thiamin (B₁)	0.135 mg
Riboflavin (B₂)	0.0356 mg
Niacin (B₃)	0.4894 mg
Pantothenic acid (B₅)	0.1625 mg
Vitamin B₆	0.0938 mg
Folate, total	20.1969 mcg
Vitamin B₁₂	0 mcg
Folic acid	0 mcg
Folate, DFE	20.1969 mcg DFE
Cholesterol	0 mg
Fatty acids, total saturated	0.1194 g
Fatty acids, total monounsaturated	0.0981 g
Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated	0.4319 g