Oat bran vs Miso: How To Choose?

This article explains the key similarities and differences between oat bran and miso, foods from the grains and legumes food groups. Read on to learn more about the oat bran vs miso comparison.
Esther Bumpus, Health Writer

Written by Esther Bumpus, Health Writer. Updated on February 5, 2023.

Although oat bran and miso belong to different food groups, while oat bran belong is a grain, and miso belong to legumes food group, and it’s not that common to compare foods from different groups, people are often interested in these comparisons as well.

That’s why we decided to create an in-depth article that compares oat bran and miso, their nutritional values, similarities, differences, macronutrients, and micronutrients – vitamins and minerals.

Generally speaking, foods from grains and legume food groups are both high in carbs and protein and valuable addition to a plant-based diet.

Now, let’s see how oat bran and miso compare specifically.

Oat bran

Oat bran, a by-product of oat milling, is derived from the outer layer of the oat grain (Avena sativa).

It is a good source of dietary fibers, especially beta-glucan, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant compounds that help to lower cholesterol, aid in digestion, and improve heart health.

Oat bran also contains a significant amount of minerals like iron, zinc, magnesium, and manganese, as well as B-vitamins like niacin, thiamin, and vitamins E and K.

It is often used as an ingredient in breakfast cereals, granolas, breads, and other baked goods, and also can be used as a thickener for soups, stews, and sauces.

Oat bran is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), and Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid).

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate) and some Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin E.

Miso

Miso (fermented soybean paste) is a traditional Japanese condiment made by fermenting soybeans with salt and a type of fungus called koji.

It is a thick, paste-like substance that adds flavor to various dishes, such as soups, sauces, and marinades.

Miso is an important part of Japanese cuisine and has been used for centuries to preserve and enhance food flavor.

One of the main health benefits of miso is its high protein content. Miso is made from soybeans, a good source of plant-based protein, making it a popular choice for vegetarians and vegans.

Miso also contains many nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. The fermentation process used to make miso also helps to increase the bioavailability of these nutrients, making them easier for the body to absorb.

In terms of health benefits, miso has been shown to have many positive effects on the body.

It is a good source of probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria that help balance the gut microbiome.

Miso may also help to reduce the risk of certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, due to its high content of antioxidants and other beneficial compounds.

Miso is not an excellent source of any particular vitamin.

However, it also contains a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin K and some Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

Oat bran vs Miso Nutrition

Now that we’ve described the origin, taste, and usage of these foods, we can move to the most interesting part – comparing oat bran vs miso.

This comparison will start by comparing the caloric value of oat bran and miso and their macronutrients and then go more in-depth by analyzing their vitamin and mineral content.

Oat branMiso
Energy246 kcal198 kcal
Carbs66.2 g25.4 g
Sugar1.45 g6.2 g
Fiber15.4 g5.4 g
Protein17.3 g12.8 g
Fat7.03 g6.01 g
Saturated Fat1.33 g1.02 g

Oat bran vs Miso Calories

Most calories in raw grains and legumes come from carbs. Peanuts are an exception here, but they are often considered a nut instead of a legume because of their nutritional profile.

Comparing miso vs oat bran for weight loss, miso is slightly lower in calories, with 198 calories per 100 grams, compared to 246 calories per 100 grams of oat bran.

However, both oat bran and miso can and should be a part of a healthy diet, and neither one shouldn’t be avoided if you’re looking to lose weight.

Oat bran vs Miso Protein

Legumes and most legume products, including oat bran and miso, are important sources of plant-based protein.

Oat bran offers around 26% more protein than miso.

Oat bran has 17.3 grams of protein per 100 grams, while miso has 12.8 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Oat bran vs Miso Carbs

Counting carbs can be important for some people for different reasons, including blood sugar control, weight management, or athletic performance.

It’s also important for people on a keto diet, so let’s compare the carbs content in oat bran and miso.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 62% higher in oat bran than in miso. It have 66.2 grams per 100 grams, compared to 25.4 grams in miso.

There’s less sugar in oat bran than in miso, 76% precisely.

One handful of oat bran (28 grams) contains 0.4 grams of sugar, while the same amount of miso contains 1.7 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in oat bran and miso.

Dietary fiber keeps the digestive system healthy and helps with weight management by promoting a sense of fullness.

With 4.3 grams of fiber per portion, oat bran is a better source of fiber than miso which oat bran offers 1.5 grams per portion.

Oat bran vs Miso Fats

Like most other grains and legumes, with the exception of lupins and peanuts, oat bran and miso are low in fat.

Fats in oat bran and miso are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in oat bran and miso:

  • Oat bran: 7 grams per 100 grams
  • Miso: 6 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, miso is 23% lower in saturated fats.

Miso and oat bran contain 1 grams and 1.3 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Oat bran vs Miso Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of oat bran and miso.

Vitamins are micronutrients, meaning we need only a small amount. However, they are very important for many processes in our bodies.

Oat bran has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B12 (Cobalamin), and vitamin K.

However, miso has a higher amount of vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B9 (Folate), and vitamin E.

Oat bran and miso contain the same amount of vitamin C, and vitamin D.

The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins oat bran and miso contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.

Oat branMiso
Vitamin A087 IU
Vitamin C00
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)1.17 mg0.098 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.22 mg0.233 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)0.934 mg0.906 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)1.49 mg0.337 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)0.165 mg0.199 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)52 µg19 µg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)00.08 µg
Vitamin E1.01 mg0.01 mg
Vitamin K3.2 µg29.3 µg

Oat bran vs Miso Minerals Content

Minerals are important for our body to function properly. We need only a small amount of minerals, so they are called micronutrients.

Some minerals, like iron, calcium, zinc or, iodine, are relatively hard to get on a plant-based diet, so it’s important to choose your foods thoughtfully. This part of the oat bran and miso comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Oat bran is a better source of copper, and sodium than miso.

On the other hand, miso is a higher amount of calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, and zinc.

Oat bran and miso contain the same amount of fluoride.

Check out the table below to learn how oat bran and miso compare when it comes to mineral content.

Oat branMiso
Calcium58 mg57 mg
Copper0.403 mg0.42 mg
Fluoride00
Iron5.41 mg2.49 mg
Magnesium235 mg48 mg
Manganese5.63 mg0.859 mg
Phosphorus734 mg159 mg
Potassium566 mg210 mg
Selenium45.2 µg7 µg
Sodium4 mg3730 mg
Zinc3.11 mg2.56 mg

The Final Word

Oat bran and miso are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

Both oat bran and miso are high in specific vitamins and minerals, and including them in your diet will give you the most benefits they offer.

Antioxidants found in grains and legumes can help to protect cells from damage and may reduce the risk of certain diseases and the effects of aging.

Additionally, the fiber and other nutrients in these foods can support the health of the digestive system and may even help to prevent certain digestive cancers.

Legumes and grains are a versatile food that can be incorporated into any meal of the day, including breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They can be served hot or cold, making them a convenient and tasty addition to a variety of dishes.

Sources

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