When it comes to maltose, many of you might be familiar with it. China began using germinated barley to produce maltose two thousand years ago, leading to the creation of many delicacies such as Dragon's beard candy, sugar figurines, and sugar blocks. The foods made from it have a softer sweetness.
In this article, we're talking about wheat germ polysaccharides, which sounds similar to maltose. Despite being a type of "sugar," new research suggests it can fight aging. So, what's the deal? Let's dive in.
Can Wheat Germ Polysaccharides Combat Aging? To slow down aging, many have adopted an "anti-sugar" stance, turning pale at the mention of "sugar."
However, not all sugars promote aging. Recent research by a team from Jiangnan University highlighted the potential anti-aging effects of wheat germ polysaccharides.
In their multi-faceted approach involving molecules, animals, and humans, researchers took a two-pronged approach. They collected fecal samples from 6 healthy, young students at their university for in vitro studies on human gut flora. Additionally, they conducted animal experiments using mice induced to age prematurely.
The study found that in the in vitro fermentation experiments, within just 24 hours, the abundance of beneficial gut bacteria such as Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and others increased, while potentially harmful bacteria like Klebsiella decreased. There was also an increase in metabolic products related to anti-aging and neuroprotection, with metabolic pathways becoming more active.
Changes in the gut microbiome led to more than a 13-fold increase in short-chain fatty acids and indole-3-lactic acid, with acetylcholine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) increasing by 7.17 times and 4.23 times, respectively.
Recent studies have suggested that improvements in the gut microbiome play a positive role in combating aging.
In the experiments with aged mice, those whose mobility, memory, and cognitive functions had declined after being induced to age showed significant improvements after being supplemented with wheat germ polysaccharides. There was a reduction in chronic inflammation markers related to aging and alleviation of oxidative stress damage.
Overall, the study's findings indicate that wheat germ polysaccharides can exert a powerful anti-aging effect by improving the gut microbiome and regulating metabolic products.
Is Wheat Germ Polysaccharide the Same as Maltose? "Wheat germ polysaccharide" and "maltose" sound similar, but are they related? In fact, both are sugars derived from further processing of wheat.
Origin: Maltose is produced by fermenting a mixture of malt from sprouted wheat and sticky rice porridge, which releases a liquid that can be boiled down to make maltose. In contrast, wheat germ polysaccharides are extracted from wheat that has not yet sprouted.
Composition: Maltose is a disaccharide composed of two glucose molecules, while wheat germ polysaccharides mainly consist of glucose, arabinose, galactose, and xylose.
So, maltose and wheat germ polysaccharides are somewhat related, making them "close relatives."
How Nutritious is Wheat Germ? Given the potential of wheat germ polysaccharides to fight aging, where can we find them in our daily lives? Naturally, by consuming wheat germ!
Wheat germ is the embryo of the wheat kernel, a golden-yellow granule that makes up about 3% of the wheat grain and is the essence of wheat, packed with nutrients. It's rich in protein, dietary fiber, iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium, B vitamins, and vitamin E.
Protein: Wheat germ is over 20% protein, containing all 8 essential amino acids, accounting for 34.74% of the total amino acids in wheat. The proportion of essential amino acids is close to that in eggs, soy, beef, and the reference ratio recommended by the WHO/FAO, with a high digestion and absorption rate.
Dietary Fiber: The total dietary fiber content in wheat germ is 13.2g/100g, much higher than staple foods like rice and wheat flour. Eating 100g can meet half of our daily dietary fiber needs, helping prevent constipation and maintain gut health.
Potassium: Wheat germ contains 892mg of potassium per 100g. Consuming 100g can meet 44.6% of the daily potassium requirement for the general population. A regular intake of potassium is beneficial for blood pressure health, maintaining normal myocardial function, and regulating the body's water and electrolyte balance.
Zinc: Wheat germ is exceptionally rich in zinc among grains, with a content of 12.3mg/100g. Consuming 80-100g can nearly meet the daily zinc requirement for both men (12mg/d) and women (8.5mg/d) in China. Zinc plays a vital role in growth and development, maintaining immunity, skin health, and reproductive health.
B Vitamins: Wheat germ contains significant amounts of B vitamins, including vitamin B1, B2, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, and folate. B vitamins are involved in the body's metabolism and are essential for immune health, skin health, and emotional well-being.
Vitamin E: As the "core part" of wheat, wheat germ is rich in vitamin E, which has strong antioxidant properties, protecting cells from free radical damage and enhancing immune function. It is also important for the health of the reproductive system. However, most people's diets do not lack vitamin E.
Bioactive Components:
Wheat germ also contains a variety of bioactive components such as polyphenols, phytosterols, and carotenoids.
Additionally, wheat germ is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, which are beneficial for cardiovascular health. Due to its rich nutritional content, wheat germ is also known as the "natural treasure trove of nutrients for humans."
How to Eat Wheat Germ?
The wheat germ we usually buy is mostly in flakes or powder form, and it's pretty easy to incorporate into your diet. You can simply use it to cook porridge, soak it in milk, make noodles, or use it in baking bread, all of which are delicious.
However, because wheat germ is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, it's prone to oxidation and spoilage if not stored properly, resulting in off-flavors and a decrease in nutritional value.
It's recommended to buy small amounts each time and store it in a sealed, light-proof container after each use, or seal it and store it in the refrigerator. If possible, vacuum sealing is even better.
In summary:
Wheat germ is nutritious and tasty, containing wheat germ polysaccharides, so if you have the means, go ahead and enjoy it. Although research suggests that wheat germ polysaccharides may have potential anti-aging effects, it doesn't mean that consuming them will make you younger. Don't rely too much on it; after all, a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet are the most crucial factors!
References:
[1] Duan, Hui et al. “Interactions between wheat germ polysaccharide and gut microbiota through in vitro batch fecal fermentation and an aging mice model: Targeting enrichment of Bacteroides uniformis and Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum.” International journal of biological macromolecules vol. 253, Pt 8 (2023): 127559. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127559
[2] Lan, Xiaoguang. "Nutritional Value and Development and Utilization of Wheat Germ." Agricultural Engineering Technology, 42(14), 89-90. 2022.
[3] https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/168892/nutrients
