Grain

Grain is the seed or the fruit coming from a cereal grass, which is used for food. It can also refer to a small, hard particle or a small amount of a particular substance, especially one that can be measured.

Overview

Grains are small, hard, dry seeds, with or without attached hulls or fruit layers, harvested for human or animal consumption. Agronomists also call the plants producing such seeds "grain crops". The two main types of commercial grain crops are cereals and legumes.

Types of Grains

Grains can be categorized into two types:

• Cereal Grains: These are the most widely consumed grains. They include rice, wheat, maize, barley, rye, oats, and millet.

• Pseudocereal Grains: These are not true grains, but are used in much the same way. They include quinoa, amaranth, and buckwheat.

Health Benefits

Grains are a great source of many nutrients, including fiber, B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and folate) and minerals (iron, magnesium and selenium). Diets rich in whole grain foods and other plant foods and low in total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers.

See Also

• Cereal
• Pseudocereal
• Whole grain
• Refined grain

References

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