Here’s what we found:
DDGS are a substitute for flour! Since 1992, DDGS have been approved for unrestricted use in human food by the FDA as long as the grain used for manufacture was suitable for human consumption while the manufacturing facilities the DDGS originate from meet basic hygiene standards.
Some of the components that make DDGS a valuable ingredient for human consumption.
- Polyunsaturated fatty acids
- Antioxidants/phenolic acids
- Dietary Fiber
- Xanthophyll: type of carotenoid, has the potential to decrease heart disease risk, and reduce macular degeneration
- Vitamin E: content greater than its corn counterpart
- Ferulic acid: reduces body fact, liver cholesterol, insulin resistance and increases glucose control
That’s not all.
One cup of DDGS equals 30g of fiber. By comparison, you’d need 30 cups of corn flakes to get that much fiber. The reason for this is because DDGs are 40.4 percent fiber, 36.4 percent protein and 11.8 percent carbohydrates. It is certainly is a nutrition powerhouse compared to any natural whole grain.
But wait, there’s more
A 2013 University of Minnesota study to determine the human health benefits from DDGS said:
“Corn and corn coproducts are higher in natural antioxidants (e.g. ferulic acid) than other grains and thermal processing (which occurs during ethanol production) releases the bound phenolic acids which have even higher antioxidant activity. These antioxidants have been shown to be effective in reducing colon cancer and controlling type 1 diabetes. “
The study adds:
“Since greater absorption of ferulic acid is associated with a number of positive health benefits, including cholesterol lowering and improved blood glucose control, greater free ferulic acid content is a positive attribute. The difference between the total and free ferulic acid represents bound ferulic acid.”
Back in 2010 Lifeline Foods promoted the idea of "Fueling America, Feeding the World," They saw the future of ethanol plants that would be to help feed the world and in a way that provides added human benefits. (That’s right, DDGS could improve human nutrition worldwide)!
In conclusion, “there is intrinsic nutritional value in something that is 38 percent protein and 40 percent dietary fiber,” said Padmanaban Krishnan, food science professor at South Dakota State University, which is a leader in developing food grade DDGS research. “Everywhere in the world someone needs protein for nutrition and someone needs dietary fiber for health and disease prevention.”