- Mice eat food that contains wheat fiber every day.
- Scientists gave some mice wheat fiber and compared results.
- Mice with wheat fiber had less gut inflammation.
- Gut bacteria in mice change the wheat fiber.
- This change makes small molecules that lower inflammation.
- Those molecules help the immune system reduce swelling.
- Whole wheat breads and whole grain foods have this fiber.
- Choosing whole grain foods may help gut health in people.
Difficult words
- wheat fiber — parts of wheat that people eat but do not digest
- inflammation — body reaction that causes pain and swellinggut inflammation
- gut bacteria — tiny living things in the gut
- molecule — very small parts made by chemical processessmall molecules
- immune system — body's system that fights illness and infection
- whole grain — food made from whole cereal grainwhole grain foods
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you eat whole grain foods?
- Do you like whole wheat bread?
- Do you eat foods with fiber every day?
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