Cereal is considered a health food by many due to its high vitamin and mineral content. But as we all know, those vitamins and minerals are synthetic and have been ADDED to the cereal. So why don’t those healthy grains (I’m talking about some good whole-grain cereal) have NATURALLY occurring vitamins and minerals? Why must they be added? I thought that whole grains are naturally high in B vitamins, but it is not reflected in the nutrition facts label in those cereals that haven’t been fortified (like Nature’s Path cereals). Can anyone explain this?
Whole-grain cereals contain:

The Bran—most important for its B vitamins and fiber, but also adds "body", texture, and even some flavor.

The Germ — prized for its minerals, B vitamins, protein, vitamin E, and oils. The oils found in the germ are a key element in whole grain flour’s flavor.

and very little of the Endosperm — consists mostly of starch, with some protein and other nutrients.

So where did the B vitamins go?

Because the grains are refined. Plus in America we have ruined our soil with too many chemicals, so the grains themselves don’t hold as many vitamins as they once did. Anything refined is bad. Try to eat whole foods.