Table of contents:
- What is granola?
- Health benefits of granola
- Counteract cancer-causing free radicals
- Protect the nervous system
- Maintain bone strength
- What to consider before eating granola
Granola is a type of food that is trending nowadays. Granola is very popular, especially for breakfast and as a snack. The reason is, the benefits of granola are really diverse for health. However, what exactly is granola? What are the benefits of granola? Check out the explanation below.
What is granola?
Granola consists of rolled oats(wheat that has been ground into a flat), seeds, honey, and rice. The ingredients are then baked until they become crispy. There are also several kinds of granola mixed with raisins, dried fruit, dates, almonds, etc.
Most people eat granola in packs that are easy to carry. However, there are also those who eat granola with yogurt, honey, strawberries, bananas, and other fruits. Granola can also be mixed with cereals to add nutritional value.
According to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), one bowl of granola contains 600 calories, 28 grams of fat, 18 grams of protein, 65 grams of carbohydrates, 24.5 grams of sugar, and 11 grams of fiber. However, the nutritional content of these can vary, depending on the product or presentation of the granola itself.
Health benefits of granola
It is believed, granola can help lose weight, lower cholesterol, and prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer. The reason is, foods that contain whole grains such as granola contain more minerals and vitamins in each serving when compared to cereals. Here it is the various benefits of granola for your health.
Counteract cancer-causing free radicals
Granola contains vitamin B1, vitamin E, and folic acid. Vitamin E is found in seeds, oils, and nuts in granola. This content functions as an antioxidant that will protect your body from free radicals that can cause cell damage and the growth of cancer cells.
Protect the nervous system
Folate and vitamin B1 have a function to protect nerve function. These nutrients are also good for metabolism and cell growth, and prevent neural tube defects (neural tube defect) in newborns.
Maintain bone strength
While minerals are also found in granola, such as phosphorus, magnesium, selenium, iron, and copper. Magnesium has many functions that are good for your body. Phosphorus helps maintain body balance. Selenium, copper, and iron are important for maintaining bone strength and development.
Minerals are also indispensable for the production of red blood cells and connective tissue. Because of this, these minerals help maintain your body's health, maintain your immunity, and the function of your heart and nerves.
What to consider before eating granola
While there are many benefits of granola, there are a few things to consider once you understand what granola is. Granola is a carbohydrate cooked in fat. This processing technique will produce several chemical molecules in the body that cannot be digested. In addition, the rice in granola contains not too many nutrients.
Therefore, you should consider the following points before buying and eating granola.
- Check the sugar content.
- Pay attention to the calories it contains.
- Don't overdo it with granola. Even though it has many benefits, granola still contains calories, sugar, and fat that can make you gain weight.
- choosetoppingsthe healthiest, such as fresh fruit. Avoid high-fat milk or high-sugar chocolate syrup.
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