Bran

Bran, such as wheat bran, rice bran, and oat bran, are the outside layers covering the wheat, rice, and oats inner kernel. This nutrient packed bran is laden with both insoluble fiber and soluble fiber, which helps lower blood cholesterol levels, and is a necessary for good digestive health. For people whose diets are low in or lack fiber, they may experience heath problems associated with this. Because of bran’s popularity, some types such as rice and oat bran, are sold as a food additive or health supplement. During processing, they remove some of the bran and then grind it into meal, which they sell as a separate product or supplement. An example of this is oat bran, which is available separately as natural oat bran 850 mg – 360 tablets for individuals wanting more fiber in their diets. Stored in airtight containers, bran lasts almost indefinitely as they remove the germ portion of the bran. Rice bran oil is the by-product removed from processed rice and then made into a type of cooking oil. Rich in antioxidants, essential fatty acids, amino acids, mineral, and vitamins, many consider this oil to be a healthy choice of cooking oil.

There are several types of muffins made with bran such as raisin bran muffins, oat bran muffins, all bran muffins, and plain bran muffins. When making raisin bran, all bran, wheat bran, and other types of bran muffins, they bake this flavored quick bread in muffin tins rather than a loaf pan. If you wonder is there gluten in oat bran, it may contain tiny amounts or trace amounts of gluten.

There are many different bran muffin recipes available in cookbooks, the internet, and from many other sources. Here is a bran muffin recipe that is quick and easy to make.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of bran
  
• 1 cup of white flour
  
• ½ cup of molasses
  
• ¼ cup of cornmeal
  
• 1 cup raisins or blueberry’s (optional)
  
• 1-1/4 cups of skim milk
  
• 1 tsp of salt
  
• 1 tsp baking soda dissolved in a little water
  

Instructions

Place all of the above ingredients into a large mixing bowl, mix well, and pour this into a greased muffin tin. Bake for 25 minutes at 325F. This recipe makes twelve servings. Bran muffins not only taste great but also are very good for your health.