FOOD NEWS
What's The Difference Between Whole Wheat Flour And White Flour?
By Aimee Lamoureux
There are more than a few differences and health benefits between whole wheat flour that makes up whole wheat bread and other healthy grains, and the refined white flour that can be found in many unhealthy snacks. However, the most important difference comes not necessarily from the wheat itself, but from how much the wheat is processed.
Essential vitamins and minerals, like folate, riboflavin, and important B vitamins which are naturally found in high amounts in whole wheat flour easily get lost when
the wheat undergoes the refining process. Even when white flour is enriched, it may still be missing vitamins naturally found in unrefined whole wheat flour, such
as copper, zinc, and magnesium.
Whole wheat grains also contain a higher amount of fiber than their highly processed counterpart, which has been shown to help maintain healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels and can help lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Products made from white flour, however, are usually high in sugar and calorie content but are not particularly nutritional.
Eating a diet rich in highly processed carbs can create an unhealthy cycle of spiking and crashing your blood sugar which may lead to weight gain and obesity, and increase the risk of health complications like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. So while white and wheat flour might be two sides of the same coin, wheat flour is the clear winner when it comes to promoting health and longevity.