Wheat is a good source of carbohydrates and some vitamins and minerals. Whole wheat, in particular, has many benefits for your health.

• High in carbohydrates Carbohydrates are important to your health. Your body needs carbs to work properly. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans say that 45% to 65% of your total daily calories should be carbohydrates. Carbs have several functions in your diet. They:
  1. Provide energy: Your body breaks down the starches and sugars into glucose (blood sugar). It uses this glucose for energy.
  2. Help control your weight: The fiber found in many carbohydrates helps you feel full.
  3. Protect against some diseases: Whole grains can help lower your risk of cardiovascular disease. You also need fiber for digestion.
• Contains Protein: Every cell in your body contains protein. Protein is made up of amino acids. Your body makes most of the amino acids it needs, but nine of them must come from the food you eat.

  Experts recommend that protein make up 10% to 35% of your total calories. You should try to get your protein from plants, such as legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.

  Protein content differs among wheat types. Harder wheat like durum, which is used for pasta, contains more proteins. Protein can make up between 8.5% to 15% of wheat’s dry weight.

• An important source of minerals: Wheat contains many minerals. The concentration of minerals in wheat is determined by the type, soil, climate, and agricultural practices, such as organic farming. Whole wheat flour is richer in minerals and vitamins than white flour.

  Your body needs minerals for:

  1. Regulating enzyme systems
  2. Building bones and teeth
  3. Helping with muscle contractions
  4. Releasing energy from food
  5. Maintaining your body’s pH balance

  Researchers say that eating certain types of whole-grain flour can provide you with more than 70% of your daily recommended intake of the following minerals:

  1. Selenium
  2. Iron
  3. Magnesium
  4. Manganese
  5. Zinc
  6. Copper
  7. Phosphorus
• Antioxidants: Whole grains contain antioxidants. These are substances that may delay or prevent some forms of cell damage. The best way to get antioxidants is to eat foods that are rich in them. Researchers say that antioxidant supplements aren’t as effective for disease prevention.
• High in fiber: Whole grains are high in fiber. You need 25 to 38 grams of fiber a day. Dietary fiber can help you:
  1. Control your blood sugar levels
  2. Lower cholesterol
  3. Lower your risk of colorectal cancer
  4. Improve bowel movements

Wheat/Scientific name: Triticum
So the correct scientific name of wheat is Triticum aestivum.

Common wheat (Triticum aestivum), also known as bread wheat, is a cultivated wheat species. About 95% of wheat produced worldwide is common wheat; it is the most widely grown of all crops and the cereal with the highest monetary yield.