WHEAT BRAN: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Wheat bran is the outer layers of the wheat grain kernel. It's separated from the inner layers during milling. It's rich in soluble and insoluble fiber.

Wheat bran has laxative effects that can increase stool volume and bowel frequency. It also contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants.

People use wheat bran for constipation, hemorrhoids, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It is also used for colon cancer, diabetes, high cholesterol, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.

Wheat is considered a major food allergen in the US. Wheat contents, including wheat bran, must be labeled on packaged foods and supplement products.

Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Effective for

Constipation. Taking wheat bran by mouth seems to help restore normal bowel function in people with mild constipation.
Hemorrhoids. Taking wheat bran by mouth might help reduce the risk of getting hemorrhoids in some people.
A long-term disorder of the large intestine that causes stomach pain (irritable bowel syndrome or IBS). Taking wheat bran by mouth seems to improve bowel function in some people with IBS.

Possibly Ineffective for

Colon cancer, rectal cancer. Taking wheat bran by mouth doesn't seem to reduce the risk for colon or rectal cancer.

There is interest in using wheat bran for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Wheat bran is likely safe when used in doses up to 30 grams daily for up to 3 months. It's usually well-tolerated. Side effects might include gas and stomach discomfort.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Wheat bran is likely safe when used in doses up to 30 grams daily for up to 3 months. It's usually well-tolerated. Side effects might include gas and stomach discomfort.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Wheat bran is likely safe when taken by mouth during pregnancy and breast-feeding.

Children: Wheat bran is likely safe when taken by mouth in doses up to 10 grams daily. It has been used safely for up to 2 years.

Interactions

We currently have no information for WHEAT BRAN overview.

Dosing

Wheat bran is a source of dietary fiber. Recommendations for dietary fiber intake vary by age.

As medicine, wheat bran has most often been used by adults in doses of 20-30 grams by mouth daily. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.

View References

REFERENCES:

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Anon. Consensus statement on cereals, fibre and colorectal and breast cancers. Proceedings of the European Cancer Prevention consensus meeting. Santa Margheritia, Italy, 2-5 October 1997. Eur J Cancer Prev 1998;7:S1-83. View abstract.

Anti M, Pignataro G, Armuzzi A, et al. Water supplementation enhances the effect of high-fiber diet on stool frequency and laxative consumption in adult patients with functional constipation. Hepatogastroenterology 1998;45:727-32.. View abstract.

Aoe S, Nakamura F, Fujiwara S. Effect of wheat bran on fecal butyrate-producing bacteria and wheat bran combined with barley on Bacteroides abundance in Japanese healthy adults. Nutrients 2018;10(12)1980. doi: 10.3390/nu10121980. View abstract.

Badiali D, Corazziari E, Habib FI, et al. Effect of wheat bran in treatment of chronic nonorganic constipation. A double-blind controlled trial. Dig Dis Sci 1995;40:349-56.. View abstract.

Balasubramanian R, Johnson EJ, Marlett JA. Effect of wheat bran on bowel function and fecal calcium in older adults. J Am Coll Nutr. 1987;6(3):199-208. doi: 10.1080/07315724.1987.10720182. View abstract.

Chandalia M, Garg A, Lutjohann D, et al. Beneficial effects of high dietary fiber intake in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. N Engl J Med 2000;342:1392-8. View abstract.

De Paepe K, Verspreet J, Rezaei MN, et al. Modification of wheat bran particle size and tissue composition affects colonisation and metabolism by human faecal microbiota. Food Funct 2019;10(1):379-96. doi: 10.1039/c8fo01272e. View abstract.

Fairweather-Tait SJ. The effect of different levels of wheat bran on iron absorption in rats from bread containing similar amounts of phytate. Br J Nutr. 1982;47(2):243-9. View abstract.

Food and Drug Administration. Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA); Public Law 108-282, Title II. Accessed on May 19, 2021. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-allergensgluten-free-guidance-documents-regulatory-information/food-allergen-labeling-and-consumer-protection-act-2004-falcpa.

Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids (Macronutrients). Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2002. Available at: https://www.nap.edu/books/0309085373/html/.

Fuchs CS, Giovannucci EL, Colditz GA, et al. Dietary fiber and the risk of colorectal cancer and adenoma in women. N Engl J Med 1999;340:169-76. View abstract.

Govers MJ, Gannon NJ, Dunshea FR, et al. Wheat bran affects the site of fermentation of resistant starch and luminal indexes related to colon cancer risk: a study in pigs. Gut 1999;45:840-7. View abstract.

Griffenberg L, Morris M, Atkinson N, Levenback C. The effect of dietary fiber on bowel function following radical hysterectomy: a randomized trial. Gynecol Oncol 1997;66:417-24.. View abstract.

Hallberg L, Rossander L, Skånberg AB. Phytates and the inhibitory effect of bran on iron absorption in man. Am J Clin Nutr. 1987;45(5):988-96. View abstract.

Hallfrisch J, Scholfield DJ, Behall KM. Blood pressure reduced by whole grain diet containing barley or whole wheat and brown rice in moderately hypercholesterolemic men. Nutr Res 2003;23:1631-42.

Helton WS; SSAT, AGA, ASGE Consensus Panel. 2001 consensus statement on benign anorectal disease. J Gastrointest Surg 2002;6:302-3.

Jenkins DJ, Kendall CW, Augustin LS, et al. Effect of wheat bran on glycemic control and risk factors for cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2002;25:1522-8.. View abstract.

Jensen SL, Harling H, Tange G, et al. Maintenance bran therapy for prevention of symptoms after rubber band ligation of third-degree haemorrhoids. Acta Chir Scand 1988;154:395-98. View abstract.

Junejo SA, Zhang L, Yang L, et al. Anti-hyperlipidemic and hepatoprotective properties of wheat bran with different particle sizes. J Sci Food Agric 2019;99(4):1990-6. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.9397. View abstract.

Lei L, Chen J, Liu Y, Wang L, Zhao G, Chen ZY. Dietary wheat bran oil is equally as effective as rice bran oil in reducing plasma cholesterol. J Agric Food Chem 2018;66(11):2765-74. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.7b06093. View abstract.

Maffei HV, Vicentini AP. Prospective evaluation of dietary treatment in childhood constipation: high dietary fiber and wheat bran intake are associated with constipation amelioration. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011 Jan;52(1):55-9. doi: 10.1097/MPG.0b013e3181e2c6e2. View abstract.

McRorie J, Kesler J, Bishop L, et al. Effects of wheat bran and Olestra on objective measures of stool and subjective reports of GI symptoms. Am J Gastroenterol 2000;95:1244-52. View abstract.

Parisi GC, Zilli M, Miani MP, et al. High-fiber diet supplementation in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): a multicenter, randomized, open trial comparison between wheat bran diet and partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG). Dig Dis Sci 2002;47:1697-704.. View abstract.

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Stamatikos AD, Davis JE, Shay NF, Ajuwon KM, Deyhim F, Banz WJ. Consuming diet supplemented with either red wheat bran or soy extract changes glucose and insulin levels in female obese zucker rats. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2020;90(1-2):23-32. View abstract.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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