The Wonders of Keto Nuts & Seeds

The ketogenic diet by and large limits the intake of fats, proteins and carbohydrates to a ratio of approximately 75%, 20%, and 5%, respectively. While this may seem challenging to balance, it really is a manageable quota with the inclusion of nuts & seeds on the keto diet. High in fats and low in carbs, the nuts and seeds can be a perfect food to help you meet your keto macros.

Keto Nuts & Seeds:

Keto nuts and seeds can be differentiated for their higher fat contents against the carbs per gram of fruit. Regarded as a dietary staple by the keto dieters, these keto nuts and seeds promise a nutrient dense & gut-friendly meal supplement. They're convenient, rich in healthy fats, low in carbs, and abundant in health-protecting antioxidants – all things that can surely benefit one’s keto journey.

It's true that most plant foods are too high in carbs to be suitable for keto. With a higher carb content, grains, fruits, legumes, and starchy vegetables cannot be added on a keto diet. For instance, if you eat these foods, chances are your blood sugar will spike and you won’t get anywhere near ketosis diet.

Keto friendly cereals, on the contrary, are rich in fat and low in carbs, having a minimal impact on blood glucose. In fact, research shows that eating these foods has an anti-diabetic effect.  And the impact cannot be solely attributed to the high-fat content of nuts and seeds. Fiber does hold a roleplay as it feeds good gut bacteria which then supports normal metabolism functioning. Their high antioxidant content also helps lower inflammation in the body and inflammation is a key driver of diabetes.

Not all nuts and seeds are, however, keto-approved. Let’s take a closer look at some of the nuts & seeds that can often be used in Low-carb & Keto kitchen.

 1. Almonds

Almonds, beholding a mild savory taste, are a perfect addition to the keto diet. Native to the Mediterranean region, almonds are botanically not the "true nuts, rather the seeds of a drupe.

 Nutrition Facts: Almonds are particularly rich in fiber as well as unsaturated fatty acids, that helps to lower bad (LDL) cholesterol. A 100-gram of almond is supposed to provide over 20% of the daily value (DV) of B vitamins, vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc in tandem with substantial levels of folate, choline, and potassium.

2. Walnuts

Great for boosting brain functioning & fortifying your heart, walnuts are a definitely an underrated keto nut.  Walnuts, with an economical cost & marginal calorie, however, can be a favorable addition to your keto diet.

Nutrition Facts: Walnuts are 65% fat, most of which is the polyunsaturated kind. In fact, walnuts contain more polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) than other nuts, particularly the brain-boosting omega-3 fatty acids that studies show we should eat more.

Other than PUFAs, walnuts are a good source of fibre, protein, thiamine, folate, magnesium, and copper.

3. Peanuts

Peanuts in the form of butter or as a salted snack is a well-endorsed keto nut. Whichever way you choose to eat them, you won't go wrong as peanuts are definitely one of the preferred keto nuts. Peanuts are actually legumes and they’re classified as nuts solely because they're nutritionally closer to nuts than legumes.

Nutrition Facts: Peanuts carry 50% fat, most of which is monounsaturated type. It is an exceptionally good source of high-quality plant proteins. These keto nuts are also favored for their vitamin E, niacin, folate, magnesium, & choline contents.

4. Sesame Seeds

These beige seeds are native to India & Africa where people have domesticated them for over 3,000 years. Today, the rich and nutty flavor of these edible sesame seeds has made them a part of cuisines worldwide. You can pair them with your meals either raw, toasted or even ground to a paste known as tahini.

Nutrition Facts: Sesame seeds are known for delivering the maximum oil contents from plant-based seeds. Rich in dietary fiber and protein which, along with fat content, makes them a perfect macro balance for a keto diet. The nutritional profile of these sesame seeds plays a vital role in improving the blood pressure, reducing oxidative stress, & improving the blood lipids.

•  Carbohydrates per serving: Total Carbs: 6.6 g, Fiber: 3.3 g, Net Carbs: 3.3 g
• Key Nutrients: Sesame seeds provide 27% of your daily calcium needs and 25% of your daily magnesium needs per serving.
• Potential Health Benefits: Lower LDL cholesterol and antioxidant protection. In one study, people with elevated cholesterol who ate 40 grams (1.5 ounces) of sesame seeds daily for 60 days experienced significant decreases in LDL cholesterol and free radical cell damage, along with an increase in antioxidant activity.

5. Flaxseeds

Flax is also known as flaxseeds or linseed. Unlike most keto seeds, flax is grown in cooler climates. There are different varieties of flax available in the market, the most common being brown, yellow, and golden flaxseeds.

Flax is a versatile plant invariably used across the industries for making linen, wood-finishing, oils, and nutritional supplements.

 Nutrition Facts: Keto dieters love flax because it helps them meet their daily omega-3 fatty acid needs. At least half of the fats in flax are omega-3s. Flax is around 40% fat, 30% fiber, and 20% protein. These seeds uphold a high-fiber content which makes them good for appetite control, weight loss, gut health, and cardiovascular health. Exceptionally rich in thiamine, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus, flax has a hundred times more lignans than any other plant food. Lignans are plant compounds with antioxidant and hormone-regulating properties.

6. Poppy Seeds

Poppy seeds are tiny, kidney-shaped, oily seeds harvested from the dried seed pods from the poppy flower. Nutty & pleasant in taste, poppy seeds impart a unique flavor that goes well in pastry and bread.

 Nutrition Facts: Poppy seeds are a rich source of thiamine, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, and zinc. These seeds contain 40% fat, 30% carbohydrates (mostly fiber), and 20% protein. Poppy seeds also contain opium alkaloids like morphine and codeine.

Densely loaded with oleic and linoleic acids, these fatty acids help with weight loss and balance out blood cholesterol. Linoleic acid is an essential nutrient important for healthy hair and wound healing.

7. Chia Seeds

Keto dieters prefer chia seeds for their high-fat content and health benefits. Tiny & oval in appearance, chia seeds are mostly grey in color with stripes, resembling miniature castor seeds. Chia has hydrophilic characteristics, absorbing up to 12 times their weight in liquid.

Nutrition Facts: Chia seeds are 40% carbohydrates, mostly is in the form of dietary fiber. Fiber being an indigestible carb does not impact blood sugar or ketone production, however, tends to regulate the normal bowel movements and gut health. With over 30% fat compound of omega-3 fatty acids (65%), Chia seeds claim to be a great source of the essential omega -3 fatty acids

Chia seeds also contain powerful antioxidants, most notably chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol. These antioxidants protect heart health and liver health and they prevent cancer and premature aging.

8. Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds, aka pepitas, are flat, oval seeds available in hulls or de-hulled. These seeds are nutrient-dense and a perfect keto-snack. Cheaper than many other nuts and seeds, the pumpkin seeds go well in a range of savory dishes.

 Nutrition Facts: Pumpkin seeds are 50% fat with a perfect balance of PUFA and MUFAs. Rich in proteins, fiber, B vitamins, iron, zinc, manganese, magnesium and phosphorus, these edible seeds provide plenty of riboflavin, folate, pantothenic acid, sodium, and potassium.

The ketogenic diet basically changes the metabolic fuel of your body to make it lose weight. Being high in fat and low in fiber, Nuts and Seeds are definitely welcomed on the keto diet with their impressive nutritional breakdown. While retaining a good number of calories, they help in avoiding carbohydrates giving you massive benefits including improved health, weight loss, and better performance physically and mentally.

Sesame Seed Market Report - Analysis & Forecasts 2018-2020

Sesame seeds production has been increasing over the years along with its demand.  The edible oilseeds coming in the assorted range of white, black & brown are one of the most favored crops to farmers for its resistance to withstand unfavorable weather conditions & grow with minimum attention. Growing popularity of sesame seeds as a functional ingredient in several foods on account of its ability to facilitate digestion and reduce hypertension is a key driving factor in the market. Furthermore, the rising application of the product as an anti-oxidant in various pharmaceutical formulations is expected to drive growth to the Indian sesame seeds market in the years to come.

 Indian Sesame Seeds Market Dynamics: Drivers & Restraints

Market Drivers:

• Call for Natural & Clean-Label Ingredients: Changing consumer consumption patterns & increasing health awareness are driving growth & innovation to the varieties of sesame seeds.
• Sesame Trend in CPG Categories: The burgeoning demand for the authentic Mediterranean and Arabic food items like Tahini, Hummus, increased consumer inclination toward seed-based spreads, and upgraded technology to produce innovative products to meet consumer demand, are another set of factors contributing to the demand for Indian sesame seeds worldwide.
• Soaring Demand for Organic Sesame: Expanding vegan population base & online grocery trends are laying forward a promising market for the organic sesame seeds of India.
• Advancements in Hybrid Varieties: Nine hybrid varieties of sesame seeds are currently produced in India. Advancements & innovations in terms of hybrid varieties are expected to further drive the demand & enhance the Indian sesame seeds market share in the future.
• Opportunities in Niche Segments: The mainstreaming of non-traditional foods seems to fuel the European demand for Indian sesame seeds.
• Weather-tolerant & Lower risk Crop: Sesame farming does not require advanced resources for cultivation, irrigation & fertilization. It is a versatile crop which is highly preferred for cultivation owing to its unique attributes of rapid phenological development and drought/ heat tolerance.

 Market Restraints:

•  International Price Fluctuations: Price levels for sesame seeds from different origins show similar developments & indicate a price interdependency between the various global suppliers. Sesame has annual price volatility of around 25 to 30% and this is mainly due to the supply issues rather than the crop failures. Following the price interdependency, the global market is made to rest on the annual volumes produced in India and China.
• Strong International Competition: African sesame seeds with a notch under prices are seamlessly giving a stiff competition to the sesame seeds of Indian origin. With a poor harvest yield, the sesame crop failed to commensurate with the domestic & global demands last year. The deficient supply has apparently triggered the price rise & has chiefly attributed to the consumers shift towards the alternative markets in Africa.
• Salmonella risk in sesame seeds: Allergies associated with the commodity are also holding back the growth of Indian sesame varieties in international markets.

 Indian Sesame Crop & Market Status 2018-2019:

India produces a wide range of sesame seed varieties and grades each peculiar to the region where they are grown. For years, India has been one of the forerunners in the global sesame market.

However, the production volume of India has been lagging since its major plunge in 2016. This is mainly due to the poor climatic conditions in production regions in India. The Eastern & Western regions, which are known for their production of sesame seeds, were severely hit by floods and monsoons. With the detrimental weather conditions, crop damage was inevitable, causing a bleak turnout to produce the crop.

The Indian crop of sesame seeds was short by 60% this year. As against 418000 MT last year, the harvest yield of sesame seeds was estimated at around 178000 MT during 2018.

 Indian Sesame Export Volume & Revenue 2018:

Sesame seed exports during April-November 2018 increased marginally to 2,25,606 tons in comparison to 2,24,376 tons during the corresponding period the previous year. In value terms, Sesame seed exports increased to 2524.72 crores from 1852.57 crores during the FY 2017-2018.

India, however, imported a record high volume of 70000- 80000 MT of sesame seeds in the year 2018. The import from Sudan accounted for 40000 MT while the remaining lot was sourced from the regions of Nigeria & Ethiopia.

 Indian Sesame Seeds Average Prices (USD/ MT)

At the onset of 2019, the prices of various oilseeds in India were hovering around the levels as follows:

Gleanings & Market Forecasts:

• An underneath crop of Indian sesame seeds culminated with a meager yield of 178000MT and carryover of around 15000 MT in the year 2018.
• The sharp increase in sesame seed prices owing to crop failure has put exporters in a tight spot. While most of them have made forward contracts at lower prices, they are now facing difficulty in meeting their export obligation as prices have almost doubled in the last year.
• The African imports have started to trickle in which will keep the global supply chain well lubricated for the months to come
• With recent occurrences of natural disasters damaging sesame seed farms in India, however, consumers are now turning toward alternative markets in Sudan, Ethiopia & Nigeria.
• India will have to import Sesame Seed from Africa in large quantities to keep its Hulling factories running.
• The African countries are expected to dominate the sesame seed market both in terms of production and export while the Asian imports are expected to increase in the coming years.
• Sudan was a major contributor to the global production of sesame seeds in the year 2018. The sesame yield of Sudan is projected to be highest around 700000 MT.
• The latest Korean tender reveals that the supply of Indian sesame seeds will be limited this year regardless of the higher prices.
• Increasing demand for sesame-based foods and rising health awareness on the same are forcing various sesame seed producing companies to introduce seeds with high yield and better weather tolerance.
• Cereal bars like Sesame Honey Energy Bars are high on demand in Europe. Innovations like ready-to-use (organic) tahini, snack options with black sesame and sesame milk also expected to boost the market for sesame seeds.
• Sesame seeds are trendy in new product launches across the CPG categories. The mainstreaming of non-traditional foods is gradually fuelling the European demand for sesame seeds & broadening the Indian sesame seeds market globally.
• Greece was the largest importer of sesame seeds in Europe followed by Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland during 2018.
• The growth of sesame seeds imports in Europe is noteworthy: the import rates are on a constant increase of 3% annual rise. Europe is emerging as another major market for Indian sesame seeds with increasing health awareness and change in diet pattern among the European consumers.
• With the outbreak of the ‘trade war’ between China and the U.S, the sesame seeds prices are becoming highly volatile.
• The Asia-pacific has been the leading importer of sesame seeds for years. This, however, may change in the future as Europe is stepping up their imports of sesame seeds with Greece as their forerunner.
• Although Ethiopia and Tanzania have been the most dominant suppliers of sesame seeds, the two countries are not in the process of harvesting for the rest of the year. –Egypt and Kyrgyzstan, on the other hand, will begin their harvest for the fourth quarter, making them a favorable alternative for sesame seed consumers for the rest of the year.
• The market for Indian sesame seeds is forecasted to surge during the coming years, with Europe growing as the newly rising market.
• Better mechanism to forecast the production of sesame seed accurately may significantly boost India’s exports apart from the measures to boost its yield.
• An upward trend is manifested for future productions, the global sesame market is expected to grow 9.5 million tonnes by 2025.
• The global sesame seeds market will be growing at 4.2% CAGR during 2019-2024 owing to the increasing demand from the food, medical and pharmaceutical and confectionary industries because of the cancer prevention, diabetes treatment, boost bone health, improve digestion and skin and hair care attributes.
• Indian sesame seed export during 2019 is likely to take a hit owing to a shortfall in Kharif season crop and on higher price as well as competition from African countries.
• Indian rupee is expected to appreciate in the short term, which is good news for importers as Indian sesame imports are likely to double when compared with last year.
• IOPEPC forecasts India’s sesame seed production for the current season 2018-2019 closer to 178,000 tons.

Maize Gluten - Protein Rich Nourishment for Animals & Poultry

Corn gluten feed is a byproduct of the wet milling of corn to produce cornstarch, sweeteners, oil and other products. Corn gluten feed (CGF) is typically a combination of corn bran, corn germ & steep liquor. Corn Gluten available in either wet or dry forms is generally palatable and readily digested by cattle. Dry CGF is available as meal or pellets

Animal feed needs to meet the requirements of the animal. For cattle, it must contain a certain structure to keep the stomach healthy, and for all animals, it must contain dry matter, various groups of nutrients, minerals, and trace-elements and should not be moldy or mixed with dirt and soil nor contain poisonous ingredients (for example pesticides or herbicides on crop residues). The composition of feeds in a ration depends on the type of animals being fed and their stage of production. Cattle and goats, being ruminants, are better equipped to digest crude fiber than pigs or chickens. Young animals need more protein than adult animals, while animals in milk need higher protein content in the ration than non-lactating animals. 
 
 Generally, animals must have a ration containing:

· Energy (from carbohydrates and fats) to maintain the body and produce (milk, meat, work). The carbohydrates and fats not needed for production are converted to fat and stored in the body.

· Protein is needed for bodybuilding (growth) and maintenance as well as milk production. Without protein, there would be nobody weight gain nor milk production. Excess protein is converted to urea and fat

· Minerals help in bodybuilding as well as in biological regulation of growth and reproduction. They are also a major source of nutrients in milk.

· Vitamins help regulate the biological processes in the body and become a source of nutrients in milk

· Water helps all over in bodybuilding, heat regulation, biological processes as well as a large constituent of milk production as well as eggs.

While corn gluten feed is derived from corn, the nutrient levels are generally higher than for corn since the ingredients remaining after processing have been concentrated. The crude protein content of CGF is somewhat variable, as would be expected since the protein content of corn itself is variable. Crude protein values range from 16 to 23 percent, with the lower numbers most common in Tennessee.

The most-used term to describe the energy level in a diet is “TDN,” which stands for total digestible nutrients. The TDN value of CGF is generally around 80 to 83 percent. This is lower than corn (88% TDN), but the form of energy is different. Corn is high in starch while CGF is low in starch. Since starch decreases the activity of the rumen microbes which digest fiber, feedstuffs like CGF, which are moderately high in energy from digestible fiber, are a good “match” for high forage diets.

Corn gluten feed can be an economical source of nutrients. The protein and energy provided by a hundred pounds of dry CGF (90 percent DM) are roughly equivalent to 75 pounds of corn grain plus 25 pounds of Soybean meal (48 percent CP). The best method to get a fair comparison between CGF and other feeds is to incorporate these in rations formulated on a “least cost” basis. Computer programs are available for this.

Storage facilities also need to be considered. Dry CGF can be stored in grain bins; however, wet feeds require storage in a trench, bunker, bag or wet commodity storage pit. Wet CGF should be used as quickly as possible and stored in a manner that reduces spoilage, especially during the summer.

The mineral content of the CGF is to be checked beforehand to avoid mineral imbalances due to high levels of phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur. Of these, possibly the most serious problem is with sulfur, which routinely reaches 0.5 to 0.6 percent and sometimes higher, particularly in the wet product. This may limit the amount which can be used to about 0.5 percent of body weight (dry matter basis).

The high phosphorus but relatively low calcium content could result in calcium to phosphorus imbalance, particularly if CGF is fed above the recommended level of 0.5 percent of body weight. These limitations have often led producers to blend CGF with other feedstuffs, like corn and soybean hulls.

HL Agro bags "Agri-Company of the Year" award at the 8th News Corp VCCircle event

Kanpur, February 21' 2019: Family run agri-food company, HL Agro Products has underlined the significant financial & environmental benefits it offers the Indian economy & food processing industries by winning the “Agri Company of the Year” award at the 2019 News Corp VCCircle awards ceremony held in Mumbai.

The News Corp VCCircle awards recognizes the best performing companies & transaction advisors that not only record tremendous growth but also have a long­standing impact on their respective industries and the economy in general. HL Agro was singled out for its contribution to the agricultural economy & efforts towards enhancing the market share of the oilseeds & corn starch commodities at the national & global levels.

The awards, which are the pre-eminent honours for disruptive and fast-growth business in the banking, infrastructure, agriculture, education, private equity and venture capital ecosystem, had prominent international and domestic private equity fund managers, top entrepreneurs, CEOs, limited partners, and other industry stalwarts in attendance this year. The winners were chosen based on the recommendations of an eminent five -member jury of industry veterans and long-term watchers of business. The jury comprised Keki Mistry, CEO at Housing Development Finance Corporation; Gopal Srinivasan, chairman and managing director at TVS Capital Funds Ltd; Michael Liu, senior vice president at Portfolio Advisors; Sameer Garde, president (India and SAARC), Cisco; and Anjali Bansal, founder of Avaana Capital.

HL Agro bagged the Award post an intricate performance review against the industry specific benchmarks & peer group performance. The judges identified HL Agro’s holistic and consummate business strategy and leadership, as well as its clear focus on financing of new business models and innovative technologies, as some key differentiators in selecting it as a Winner of the category.  It was also judged on the qualitative parameters of brand value, sustainable growth, management quality, product delivery & impact on the industry and the economy.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Akhilesh Sahu, Director of the company said, “Winning this award is a testament to HL Agro’s consistent growth, our passionate team who deliver world class ingredient solutions to a global client base of loyal customers and our strong focus on innovation and technology. We are excited to continue our work with a wide range of leading brands across the food industry to help them focus on what matters most—keeping their customers safe and happy.”

To learn more about the event & the winners of 2019 awards, please visit: https://www.vccircle.com/tag/vccircle-awards-2019

 About News Corp VCCircle:

The VCCircle Network is a leading corporate finance, data, news and information services group. Its portfolio of businesses includes leading news web sites, flourishing events and training divisions, end-to-end content solutions practice and financial data and research platform VCCEdge. Through these verticals, VCCircle connects decision makers to an enterprising network of ideas, information, insights and influencers.

In 2015, VCCircle was acquired by News Corp, one of the largest news and information services providers globally that publishes leading dailies such as The Wall Street Journal in the US, The Australian in Australia and The Times in the UK.  News Corp also runs integrated marketing services; digital real estate services; book publishing; digital education; sports programming and pay-TV distribution in Australia. VCCircle.com is the pre-eminent source of news, information, data and analysis on alternative investments in India. The platform covers deals, exits, M&As, investors, investments, entrepreneurship, management and strategy.

About H.L. Agro Products:

HL Agro Products Pvt. Ltd is the flagbearer of six decades old HL Group of companies headquartered in Kanpur, India. HL Agro Products Pvt. Ltd. is an HACCP & ISO22000:2005 certified industrial entity and the noted exporter of sesame seeds, corn starch, liquid glucose & other corn derivatives in India.

The processing units at HL Agro are fully automated and well equipped with state of the art technology, imported machinery making it truly the 21st century in its accomplishment. Built on the norms of Good Manufacturing Practices & HACCP guidelines, the plants are capable of processing 22000 MT sesame seeds annually & grinding 300 MT corn daily. HL Agro's sesame seeds processing unit is an SGS certified entity listed with Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), India Organic, USFDA, Kosher, Halal & USDA Organic and Export Promotion Council. HL Agro now endeavours to burgeon globally by elevating its starch & corn sweeteners portfolio with an array of, malto-dextrin, dextrose monohydrate, sorbitol, high-maltose corn syrup amongst others. 

Top Food & Beverage Trends to Watch out for in 2019

2019 begins, a year that promises new and interesting trends in the food and beverage industry, driven by technological innovations and the consumers growing demand for new flavor experiences, greater transparency, and healthier products. While last year was all about unicorn food, glitter lattes and broccoli coffee, this year, non-dairy ice cream, plant-based proteins, Asian spices & cuisines are expected to be huge. The food experts opine that in 2019 will stand out the simple and natural ingredients made with unprocessed and real products.

In view of the emerging health food fad, we foresee the following diets & nutrition trends to be trendsetters in the forthcoming years:

Organic foods

People have grown extremely health conscious and realized the benefits of eating natural food, especially organic, non-processed and genetically modified food. The focus is now on fresh, seasonal and local produce.

Plant-based proteins

The vegan food trend has not seen a momentum as it has in the recent 2- 3 years, it will only get bigger in 2019. Consumers have become more self-aware and demand transparency in everything they consume, be it GMO status, animal welfare or injected/added hormones.

In point of fact, the demand for the protein of all types will continue to surge as the connection with a healthy weight, better body shape, and general wellness continues to build in consumers’ minds.

More Vegetables in 2019

As interest in health and well-being grows, more people are seeking to reduce the consumption of meat and animal products or abandon it altogether, to become vegetarians.

Thanks to technology, consumers this year will be able to enjoy all year round, fresh fruits & vegetables that usually could only be purchased during harvest season. Cauliflower will come out of salads and will have a greater presence as an ingredient in foods such as cauliflower-based pizzas, rice, and even cookies.

Tahini flavor to reign

Tahini, a major ingredient in foods like hummus and baba ghanoush is made from ground hulled sesame seeds that have been used for thousands of years in the Middle East and parts of the Mediterranean.

With the emerging switch from conventional to plant-based foods, people are now exploring the umami flavors yearning for the plant-based snacking including tahini, hummus & alike. A good fat and incredibly versatile additive for sweet and savory dishes, tahini seems to reign with the recent eating trends.

Oat Milk – The Next milk Alternative

2019 is going to be another banner year for the health-conscious. Oat milk produced by soaking oats in water is one of such healthy and sustainable items currently catching fire. This creamy & clean labeled drink which is not essentially milk is going mainstream as a dairy alternative in coffee & other hot beverages.

 Asian Food & Spices will be in high demand

Asian cuisines remain hot at the restaurant level, along with Middle Eastern food. One spice gaining in popularity is Za’atar, a blend of thyme, oregano, sumac, ground sesame seeds, and salt. It’s turning up on mainstream menus, as well as on the grocery store shelf.

Alternative fats are here to stay

With keto, paleo, and grain-free diets continuing to gain popularity, the demand for dairy-, animal-, and grain-free healthy fat sources has continued to rise. As per the insights of the speciality grocery chain, Whole Foods, alternative fat sources will start to boom in 2019, especially MCT oil (a type of oil extracted from coconut oil), coconut butter, sesame oil and lots of and lots of ghee, a kind of clarified butter that has been used in Southeast Asian cooking and Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years.

More Paleo, Keto, & Low carb foods

A paleo diet including lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds is expected to gain momentum in 2019. There will also be an influx of low or no-carbohydrate options in the fast-casual sphere in response to the popularity of high-fat, low-carb eating plans such as the ketogenic diet, more commonly known as “keto”. According to the U.S. News & World Report, the biggest fad that’s riding its wave of popularity right into 2019 is the Ketogenic, or “Keto,” diet.

Probiotics will start popping up

Probiotics are live microorganisms that have health benefits when consumed. While probiotics, the good bacteria found in fermented foods like yogurt and kimchi, have commanded attention over the last several years, prebiotics are likely to start getting some of the spotlights in 2019. We’ll likely be seeing more drinks, bars and other ready-to-eat snack items touting a prebiotic punch of barley, garlic, oats, apples in 2019.

Maize Germ Oil - Nutritional Facts, Benefits & Applications

Maize germ is one of the derivatives of the process of corn starch refining and is a highly valued by product. One of the reasons why maize or corn germ is so important is because it can be used to obtain germ oil or corn germ oil which serves many purposes.  Corn germ produces corn oil, a highly edible oil which is used for cooking purpose. Extracted from the germs of corn/ maize with the use of expeller pressing for eliminating the oily components, the corn seeds are treated with solvents to extract the remaining oil. The corn oil is refined from solvents for removing certain fats. Corn oil colors from medium to yellow & carries a high smoking point. The oil derived from corn germ holds 55% polyunsaturated fatty acid, 30% of monounsaturated fatty acid and 15% of saturated fatty acids. It is composed of polyunsaturated fatty acids or PUFAs but is low on the content of saturated fat, which is why it is a healthy oil to cook in.

 Nutritional value:

One tablespoon of Corn oil measuring 13.6 g provides 122 calories and 13.6 g of total lipid fat. It contains the vitamins such as 1.94 mg of vitamin E and 0.3 µg of Vitamin K. Lipids such as 1.761 g of total saturated fat, 0.003 g of myristic acid, 1.439 g of palmitic acid, 0.009 g of margaric acid, 0.251 g of stearic acid, 0.059 g of arachidic, 3.75 g of total monounsaturated fatty acids, 7.436 g of total polyunsaturated fatty acids, 8 mg of stigmasterol, 26 mg of campesterol and 84 mg of Beta-sitosterol.

 Traditional Uses & Applications of Corn Oil:

As mentioned earlier, corn oil is extracted from the germ component of corn and this germ is rich in oil and nutrients.  The oil which directed comes out of the germ needs to be refined before it can be used for cooking and other purposes. Also known as maize oil, this oil has many health benefits and nutritional facts, some of which have been given below.

• Corn oil has been found to lower the LDL blood cholesterol which is the bad cholesterol and this is one of its main health benefits. This means that this oil is superb for heart health and recommended for heart patients.
• Corn oil also consists of essential and important fatty acids like linolenic acid or omega 6 which is known to boost our immunity and also for some of the essential immune system functions. Thus corn germ oil is an immunostimulant and this too is an important health benefit that it offers.
• The linolenic acid present in corn germ oil is also needed for many bodily and organ functions such as for the proper functioning of the heart, kidneys, digestive system, liver and the reproductive system as well.
• Just like olive oil, corn germ oil has the ability to reduce the blood pressure after consumption, especially in the case of hypertensive patients.
• Corn oil contains Vitamin E which acts as an antioxidant and is required for the body. This too is one of the major health benefits of corn germ oil. It is thus great for the skin and hair.
• Corn oil can be used for massaging the skin since it acts as a nice emollient. It can also be used as base oil for making salves, creams, lip balms and night oils etc.

100 grams of corn germ oil consists of 12.9 gm of saturated fat, 54.6 gm of polyunsaturated fats and 27.5 gm of monounsaturated fats.  It contains Vitamin E, Vitamin K and Choline as well.  It contains a very small amount of Tran’s fats as well and hence germ oil are considered to be high on quality and companies like HL Agro produce bulk germ oil each year.  They are known for their high-tech machinery and superior quality corn by-products.  You too can contact the company to place your order for any corn starch by-products today!

Corn Gluten - A protein-rich animal feed & organic herbicide

Corn gluten or corn gluten feed is a by-product that comes from the wet milling industry or from manufacturers of starch, syrups, oils and sweeteners which make use of corn starch production process. Corn gluten feed is readily available in the USA and is also produced in bulk quantities in India. Indian origin corn gluten  is known for its high quality and the many uses it serves. One of the main uses of corn gluten is as a livestock feed. It is a good feed for beef cattle but there is a certain way in which it should be utilized to get its maximum advantage and benefits. The following are some of the ways to utilize corn gluten as a livestock feed.

• Corn gluten feed is mainly made of steep liquor and corn bran. The steep liquor inclusion affects the final colour and the nutritive quality. This feed is available in two different forms-wet and dry form.
• It can be purchased in two forms, depending upon the exact use-in the form of a meal or in the form of pellets. Since the process of wet milling removes the starch as well as the oil, the resultant corn gluten has high amounts of crude protein. The protein quantity averages 23.5% but in some cases, it can also be in between 16 to 30%.
• The energy valve of corn gluten feed is similar to that of corn but the difference is that the energy in corn comes from starch whereas, in case of gluten, it comes from the dietary fiber content. It also consists of some amount of fat which tends to raise the energy density of the diet.
• It is important to remember that since corn gluten offers both protein and energy, the relative economic value of the feed greatly depends on upon the relative price of corn as well as a protein supplement like soybean meal.
• The totally digestible nutrients or TDN value of CGF or corn gluten feed is about 75 to 83% and this in comparison to that of whole grain which has TDN of 88% is slightly less.
• There are some cautions that must be observed when using corn gluten feed as a livestock feed. The sulphur concentration of CGF is a little high in comparison to the requirement of animals. What happens is that sulphur dioxide is added during the process of wet milling so as to help with the process of extraction of starch. Feeding huge amounts of CGF with high sulphur concentration can result in toxicity and even death of the animal. Therefore one must take caution and always choose a manufacturer that doesn’t include high S concentration.
• Another caution in using corn gluten as livestock feed is high phosphorus concentration. High concentration of phosphorus in this feed can cause urinary calculi in cattle and hence one must remain careful about this as well.

To purchase the corn gluten's best quality in bulk amounts, you can choose HL Agro as the bulk manufacturer & exporter of corn gluten.