Sunday, July 31, 2011

Benefits of muesli:


In the present time of high stress and lack of time, Muesli is a magical breakfast which provides all basic nutrients, which a healthy body needs.

Muesli is a cereal made from whole
wheat flakes,  jowar flakes, ragi flakes, nuts . It is constituted with whole grains hence is a rich source of dietary fibre, minerals, vitamins, trace elements and proteins.

It was invented by a Swiss Doctor named Dr. Maximilian Birchner – Benner to provide a healthy diet to his patients. He made muesli an important part of his therapy to prove the wonders done by it in healing the patients. It worked .

The word muesli originates from Swiss – German word Mus , which means mixture and which is related to the old English word moose meaning stew or pottage . It became popular in western countries by 1960’s as a part of healthy food.
Coming to the benefits of the magical muesli in our life, some of them are mentioned below.

1. Muesli being a very rich source of dietary fibre both, soluble and insoluble helps in lowering the blood cholesterol.

2. The soluble fibre in muesli helps in avoiding dramatic changes in blood sugar level.

3. Muesli having wheat flakes and nuts, contribute plenty of phytochemical agents call lignans which decreases the risk of problems like breast cancer, prostate and ovarian cancer.

4. The insoluble fibre in muesli reduces the probability of carcinogens in gastro intestinal tract.

5. The daily consumption of muesli reduces hypertension and hence reduces the need of hypertensive medication.

6. It is also seen to reduce the blood pressure to a great extent.

7. Muesli provides huge amount of energy instantly due to high content of carbohydrates.

8. It is a rich source of protein which strengthens the bone and increases the growth of hairs.

9. Muesli’s regular intake helps the person to heal the wounds faster due to the presence of beta – glucan in it.

10. It helps body of a person to fight any bacterial infection faster.

11. It controls the obesity also. The reason lies in the fact that the fibers swell up absorbing water so leaving lesser space for the intake of more food in the stomach.

12. Muesli is also considered to be a very good food to control the BMI [Body Mass Index].

13. Due to the presence of folic acid in muesli, it helps in generation of red blood cells (RBC).

14. Being a very rich source of minerals it helps in improving the metabolism of the body.

15. Being a rich source of vitamin E along with having anti oxidant properties, muesli improves the blood vessel elasticity.

16. Muesli also controls the plaque accumulation.

17. Muesli is the best supplement of the trace element Selenium which act as a catalyst in metabolic activity.

18. The vitamin B complex present in it takes care of the regeneration of body cells, nerves and bones.

19. If mixed with honey, it acts like an antiseptic, anti oxidant agent and as a cleanser in our body for a good health.

20. Muesli mixed with fresh fruits provides all natural nutrients to fight against seasonal diseases.

21. When used with vegetables muesli increases the vital substances and micro nutrients, which helps us to increase our hemoglobin hence fighting against anemia.

22. Muesli detoxifies the body.

23. Muesli is helpful in libido enhancement.

24. The presence of manganese in muesli along with low saturated fats keeps our heart safe.

25. Muesli is a rich source of omega – 3 fatty acid which helps in development of the nervous system.

26. Muesli is a rich source of calcium.

27. When consumed with fruits,muesli improves the skin tone and its glow.

28. Muesli with cinnamon has a healing property for cold and cough.

29. Muesli also helps in reducing the risk of age related diseases like arthritis etc.

30. Muesli being a rich source of fibre relives constipation by improving the bowl moment in the intestinal tract.

It is evident from above that muesli provides unlimited taste of nature.

There are so many options when choosing a breakfast cereal. One tasty option is muesli. Is it healthy?

The world of breakfast cereals can be a confusing one – particularly if your goal is to eat well from a nutritional standpoint. Even the so-called “healthy” breakfast cereals contain large amounts of sugar. One type of breakfast cereal that some find satisfying is muesli. This old-fashioned cereal was developed around the turn of the century and is a popular dish in India. It’s rapidly gaining in popularity here since it requires little preparation and makes a tasty and satisfying breakfast cereal; but what about its health benefits? Is muesli healthy?
What is Muesli?
It usually consists of a blend of rolled grains combined with dried fruits, nuts, and seeds. It’s also a popular food product in health foods stores and natural markets because of its perceived health benefits.
Health Benefits of Muesli: Is Muesli Healthy?
The average cup of pre-packaged muesli has around 289 calories. Although it contains little fat, most pre-packaged brands of muesli are high in sugar and one serving can have as much as 26 grams of sugar and 66 grams of carbohydrates – definitely not a good choice if you’re on a carb restricted diet. It does have a significant amount of fiber and it’s a fair source of protein which makes it a food that’s relatively filling and satisfying. It’s also rich in vitamins and minerals – including vitamin E, the B vitamins, and iron. When you add milk, it also becomes a good source of bone building calcium.
Other Health Benefits of Muesli
The oats found in muesli contain beta-glucans which is a soluble fiber that lowers cholesterol levels. The dried fruits added to muesli contain anti-oxidants in addition to vitamins and minerals. The nuts add heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and if you buy a brand that contains walnuts, you get alpha-linolenic-acid which is converted to omega-3’s by the body. Omega-3’s are heart healthy and reduce inflammation.
Is Muesli Healthy?: The Bottom Line
All in all a bowl of muesli is a healthy way to start the day – if you buy a low sugar version. If you can’t find one, it’s not hard to make your own by combining rolled oats with the dried fruits and nuts of your choice. You can add a healthier sweetener such as Stevia instead of sugar. Another way to add natural sweetness to muesli is to add a little fruit juice to the milk when you eat it. It can also be mixed with yogurt for a quick breakfast or dessert treat. Enjoy eating muesli!