“Multigrain” and “whole grain”: Which is better?

Multigrain simply means that the loaf contains several different types of grains, distinguishing it from whole grain breads. These grains can include oats, barley, cornmeal, wheat, millet, flax and others. However, there is no universal list of grains that a product with this label must contain. Additionally, the product only needs to contain two or more different grains to be deemed “multigrain”. The term also does not mandate anything about how the grains are prepared. This means that “multigrain” is not always going to be synonymous with “whole grain.”
Whole grain: A whole grain is a grain of any cereal and pseudocereal that contains the endosperm, germ, and bran, in contrast to refined grains, which retain only the endosperm. As part of a general healthy diet, consumption of whole grains is associated with lower risk of several diseases.

Possible Health Benefits of Multigrain

1. Multigrain foods are often quite hearty and will provide a dense texture and rich flavor in breads or cereals. However, unless you are sure that the multigrain food was made from whole grain ingredients, the health benefits may be minimal.
2. In order to maximize the health benefits of your multigrain product, make sure to check out the food label and look to see that each grain includes the word “whole”. One quick way to check if the food contains refined grains is to scan for the words “enriched wheat flour.”
3. Overall, multigrain is not always going to be a sure thing when you’re looking for a healthier grain option. In order to get the greatest bang for your nutritional buck, seek out whole grains or multigrain products composed of all whole grains. This will give you a great boost in fiber and other micronutrients and will help you to incorporate some healthier grain choices into your daily diet.

Possible Health Benefits of whole grain

1. One of the biggest health benefits of whole grains is that they lower your risk of heart disease.
2. Whole grains may also help lower your risk of stroke.
3. Whole grains and products made from them are more filling than refined grains, and research suggests that they may lower your risk of obesity.
4. Eating whole in place of refined grains may lower your risk of type 2 diabetes.
5. The fiber in whole grains can support healthy digestion in various ways.