Muesli cereals were popularized by Swiss physician Maximilian Bircher-Benner in the early 20th century. The original recipe included only rolled oats soaked overnight in water, cream, lemon juice, nuts, and grated apple. Modern versions contain various grains, dried fruits, and nuts. Muesli is soaked to break down its fiber content, and different commercial cereals and granola bars are available. A 2002 study found that both low-fat and high-fat diets had advantages and disadvantages, with any deficiencies easily compensated for with a daily vitamin.
Popularized around 1900 by Swiss physician Maximilian Bircher-Benner, muesli cereals – Swiss for moose, but also porridge – are a dry mix of mostly rolled oats but often other grains, along with various fruits dried and nuts. It is left dry in an airtight container until ready to consume, at which point it is immersed in water, milk, or other liquids for at least half an hour, but preferably overnight. The last step is to combine the moistened grains with other flavor enhancers such as sesame paste called tahini, fresh fruit, honey or cinnamon.
Bircher-Benner was a sought-after physician in Zurich, Switzerland in the early 20th century. Shortly after founding his first clinic in 1897, the doctor put his cutting-edge research into nutritional practices into practice by encouraging patients to eat copious amounts of grains, fruits and vegetables, to the exclusion of most meats and heavy starches . In 1904, Bircher-Benner opened his sanatorium called Vital Force, with granola cereal a key menu item for breakfast and even dinner. His recipe included only rolled oats, which were soaked overnight in water. Then cream, lemon juice, nuts and grated apple were added just before serving.
This original Birchermuesli mix has slowly given way to more modern versions of the cereal. In 2011, granola cereal will likely contain a handful of other grains besides rolled oats, from rye and barley to corn and wheat flakes, along with added nuts and any number of dried fruits. Once the cereal is soaked in milk, water, juice or yogurt, many other flavors could be added. A simple addition would be sugar, cinnamon, and maybe a few slices of fresh fruit like banana or apple. More complex could mean several other ingredients such as nutty tahini, honey, nutmeg, and shredded coconut.
Different commercial cereals, like Mueslix or Weetabix, line store shelves, each with a slightly different take on the recipe. Several other manufacturers use emulsifiers to form their cereals, nuts and dried fruits into granola bars. Muesli differs from muesli cereals, however, in that its ingredients are toasted until lightly crunchy. Instead, the muesli is soaked to begin the process of breaking down its fiber content – a process which, if ignored, could lead to some digestive problems.
In 2002, the United Kingdon’s University of Bristol undertook a research project to see if there was any merit to arguing that low-fat diets centered on muesli grains and other healthful foods created what they call “malnutrition of the muesli belt”. While children on low-fat diets showed the lowest levels of vitamin A and iron, the study concluded that high-fat diets resulted in low levels of vitamin C and iron. The researchers concluded that both diets had advantages and disadvantages, with any deficiencies easily compensated for with a daily vitamin.
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