Five facts about whole grain

Wholegrain is certainly familiar to many as a term, but few are familiar with all the beneficial properties of whole grain. Wholegrain bread utilizes all the good in the grain, from the shell to the inside. But what are the benefits and why should you eat whole grains every day? And how do you recognize whole grain bread on the bread shelf?

1. Whole grain is the king of fibre

The vast majority of the fiber contained in the grain is lost if only the kernel is used, as in refined, "white" flour. Whole grains, which are high in fiber, help with bowel function. Eating enough whole grains ensures that the stomach remains satisfied and the intestines feel good. All grains are good sources of fibre as whole grains – including wheat, which has a reputation for being nonsensical!

2. Whole grains promote health in many ways

In addition to the smooth functioning of the intestines, the daily intake of whole grain products has a positive effect on overall health, as they are rich in vitamins and trace elements in addition to fiber. Regular consumption of whole grains is good for cardiovascular health, among other things, and the beta-glucan¹ in oats and barley helps to keep cholesterol levels at a normal level, as well as balance blood sugar levels. Did you know that a low intake of whole grains causes the most loss of healthy life years among dietary factors?²More than too much salt intake or too little fruit intake.

Whole grains also provide protein! Grain products are an important source of protein, and Finns get up to a fifth (22 per cent) of all the protein in their diet from grain and baking products³.

3. Whole grains are also good for the planet

Favouring whole grains is an easy way to promote both your own health and the health of the environment, as whole grains use the whole grain and all the nutrients it contains – nothing is wasted. When using whole grain, the arable land is used as efficiently as possible and the harvested crop yields as much food as possible.

4. Whole grains cannot be identified by color or texture

A whole grain product cannot be identified by its appearance, as whole grain can be groats, flakes or flour – not necessarily whole grains. The color of the bread also does not indicate the whole grain content. Bread can be called wholegrain bread if it contains at least 50% whole grain. So the name of the bread already says a lot, the packaging labels even more.

5. Five slices of wholemeal bread will meet your daily wholemeal needs

According to the new Nordic Nutrition Recommendations, it is recommended to eat at least 90 grams of whole grains per day⁴. According to the recommendations, the increase in the use of whole grains is supported by its effects on health and environmental footprint. At the moment, Finns do not reach the recommendations, as men eat about 63 grams of whole grain and women about 47 grams per day⁵. The daily portion of whole grain is relatively easy to put together: for example, one slice of Vaasa's 100% Oat Whole Grain Oat Bread contains about 18 g of whole grain, which means that the recommended daily intake of whole grain is met by five slices. And don't worry if you don't quite know how to put together a day's whole grain meal: we have put together three different combos for you to make sure you meet the recommendation!