Puffed wheat: how to make popcorn at home, the benefits and harms

Puffed corn (popcorn) and rice have long been known and loved by consumers. People know a little less about puffed wheat, but the product is rapidly gaining the sympathy of adults and children. It is used for a quick breakfast with milk, as a sweet dessert, or as a snack if the sugar-free option is chosen. Inventive housewives add the product to the usual recipes for cakes and pastries, surprising the household with an unexpected taste.

Chemical composition and nutritional value

Puffed wheat contains minerals, vitamins, amino acids necessary for a person. The composition per 100 grams of the product contains:

• carbs - 79.6 grams;
• proteins - 14.70 grams;
• fats - 1.20 grams;
• water - 3.00 grams;
• ash - 1.5 grams.

It contains a lot of water-soluble vitamins of group B (B1-B3; B5; B6; B9), the product does not contain fat-soluble forms of vitamins. The list of minerals found in the delicacy is impressive:

• phosphorus - 355.0 milligrams;
• potassium - 348.0 milligrams;
• magnesium - 145.0 milligrams;
• iron - 31.7 milligrams;
• calcium - 28.0 milligrams;
• sodium - 4.0 milligrams;
• zinc - 2.4 milligrams;
• manganese - 1.8 milligrams;
• copper - 0.4 milligrams;
• selenium - 123.1 micrograms;
• fluorine - 27.0 micrograms.

Consumption of 100 grams of puffed wheat covers the daily intake of iron 3 times, and selenium 2 times.

Product rich in amino acids (content in grams):

• alanine - 0.548;
• arginine - 0.712;
• aspartic acid - 0.823;
• valine - 0.702;
• histidine - 0.380;
• glycine - 0.576;
• glutamic acid - 4,972;
• isoleucine - 0.626;
• leucine - 1,064;
• lysine - 0.405;
• methionine - 0.257;
• proline - 1,537;
• serine - 0.808;
• tyrosine - 0.445;
• threonine - 0.450;
• tryptophan - 0.226;
• cystine - 0.289;

The product has a high calorie content, 100 grams contains 364 kilocalories.

Benefit

It is due to the amount of substances necessary for humans in the composition of puffed wheat. B vitamins are necessary for the normal functioning of the central nervous system (CNS) and the conductivity of nerve fibers.

Minerals are responsible for the functioning of the heart, the endocrine system, the condition of hair, teeth and nails. For example, a lack of potassium causes heart disease, iron maintains the level of hemoglobin, its deficiency in the body of a pregnant woman can cause fetal malformations. There is not a single organ or system in the human body that would not suffer from a lack of minerals in the body.

Tissues and cells are made up of amino acids, these substances are responsible for the processes of protein and energy metabolism, without them it is impossible to maintain hormone levels.

Fiber, contained in large quantities in wheat grains, improves intestinal motility, positively affects the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. The product contains long carbohydrates that provide the body with energy for a long time, so puffed wheat with milk is especially useful for breakfast.

Important: the consumption of the product is strictly prohibited for people with gluten intolerance. It's better to have a treat in the morning to feel full, energized and not need snacks.

How puffed wheat is made

Shops sell ready-to-eat industrial product. Wheat popcorn can also be made at home. It can be sweet or savory and topped with caramel, icing sugar, chocolate.

At home

To please the household with popcorn, you need to buy a special machine. On sale there are compact household appliances with a case made of plastic or metal. The device does not take up much space, it is easy to disassemble and wash. In your own kitchen, the product can be made less caloric, since it is prepared without adding oil. The grain softens and increases in volume under the influence of hot air flows. It takes 3 minutes to cook 1 serving.

In industrial production

Popcorn factories use powerful stationary machines with high productivity and energy consumption. Such a device consists of several parts:

• Popcorn tank;
• compartments for loading raw materials and unloading the finished product;
• heating chamber;
• ventilation system;
• oil supply box.

After cooking, the product is glazed or mixed with additives, cooled and packaged.

Contraindications and harm

Due to the high amount of carbohydrates, this product is not recommended for people who are overweight, diabetics or those who want to lose weight, especially if the product is coated with caramel icing, powdered sugar or used as part of a homemade sweet treat.

Children are also discouraged from frequent consumption of dessert. The high content of starch and sugar in the product can cause weight gain and dental problems.

Consumption of puffed wheat 1-2 times a week will do no harm, will diversify the diet and enjoy a delicious dessert.

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