Your Life
Grain feeds our world for both humans and animals, provides fuel, and is even traded on stock exchanges. Grain is the harvested seed of grasses such as wheat, oats, rice, and corn, and people first began eating it about 75,000 years ago in Western Asia. Other important grains include sorghum, millet, rye, and barley.
Around the globe, grains, called cereals, are the most important staple food. Humans get 48 percent of their food energy (calories) from grains. It also feeds livestock and manufactures cooking oils, fuels, cosmetics, and alcohol. Almost half of the grains grown worldwide are harvested for people to eat directly. It is important as a good source of essential nutrients called carbohydrates. A third of the world’s grain supply is fed to animals. Most domestic animals, from cattle to dogs, are fed food rich in grains and grain products. The rest of the world’s grain supply is used to manufacture industrial products. Biodiesel is a fuel used for vehicles. One type of biodiesel is ethanol, which can be made from corn.
Whole grains provide fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Whole-grain foods help control cholesterol levels, weight, and blood pressure. These foods also help lower the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions.
Grain
source: National Geographic Education
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