We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and muesli is one of the best options for that, but have you ever wondered what is it that makes this Swiss-German cereal so potent? Let’s try and find out as we take a closer look at the contents of muesli and how they affect the human body.
What is in Muesli?
Although modern offerings of the breakfast might have a few more added ingredients that you may or may not like, the original European muesli is still a combination of nuts, seeds, dried fruits and a balanced blend of various whole grains such as oat and wheat. Together with milk, yogurt or fruit juice, the ingredients make for not only a healthy meal but a tasty one as well.
The Whole Grains
As traditional muesli is largely made up of a blend of various whole grains, anyone who has it for breakfast will automatically reap all the health benefits that come with eating food made from whole grains. Let’s take a look at some of the most prominent ones now.
- The high fiber content helps with digestion, bowel movements, blood sugar control, hypertension, LDL cholesterol reduction, and reduces the chances of colon cancer among others
- Lactic acid helps to boost the growth of helpful gut bacteria for better nutrient absorption, better digestion, and a more powerful immune system
- Whole grains have been associated with redistributing fat; which in addition to making you healthier, will even shrink your bulging belly
- Infants and young children might be able to keep asthma at bay if introduced to oats early since the practice has been associated with reduced risks of developing allergies, rhinitis, asthma, and other complications of the respiratory system
- Whole grains may even reduce the chances of developing colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer, although the evidence at this point is inconclusive
Muesli is Rich in Minerals and Vitamins
Not all whole grains are rich in vitamins or minerals, but muesli is a combination of multiple seeds and fruits, so the best bits of all the grains and fruits used in creating the cereal is present in the final product. As a result, muesli is rich in vitamin C, Vitamin B (riboflavin, thiamin, niacin, folate, etc.), iron, magnesium, calcium and zinc.
Is It Healthier than Other Cereals?
Muesli is not supposed to be an artificially processed cereal that’s sweetened with refined sugar or some equally harmful sugar alternative. As long as you manage to get some old country style muesli to fuel your day, it would definitely be a better option than most other cereals in the market, as long as we are talking about health.
If you are impressed with what you read so far, then remember that the points mentioned here are just some of the multiple health benefits which muesli brings to the breakfast table. Nevertheless, in case you are considering the idea of adding muesli to the breakfast menu, these alone should be reason enough to justify that decision. Consider muesli to be a healthy version of the modern cereals with more pros and none of the cons.