Wholegrain goodness

The following is from Mind Your Body of the Straits times dated 14 October 2010.


Those who eat plenty of wholegrains have higher quality diets.

There is ample evidence that consuming wholegrains is associated with a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, obesity and even certain types of cancer, although the mechanism behind their beneficial effects is not clear, according to a study published in this month's issue of the Journal Of The American Dietetic Association.

The researchers, led by Dr Carol E. O'Neil of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, assessed the relationship between wholegrain intake and diet quality in an analysis of the diets of 7,039 men and women between 19 and 50 years old and another 6,237 people aged 51 and older.

On average, the younger group ate less than two-thirds of a serving of wholegrains daily while the older people ate just over three-quarters of a serving, the researchers found. But the fraction of those who ate the most wholegrain also consumed more fibre, healthy fats, and vitamins and minerals, while eating less sugar, unhealthy fat and lower cholesterol food.

Though the study was conducted over only five years and cannot assess the health effects of the subjects' eating habits, DrO'Neil said that the consumption of wholegrains is associated with improved nutrient intake or diet quality.

'We know from previous studies that consumption of wholegrains is associated with a generally healthier lifestyle,' she said.

However, many people do not know exactly what wholegrains are, what types of foods contain them and why they are good for you, Dr O'Neil said.

'I also think that people are a little afraid of wholegrains - that they won't like them or that their children won't like them," she added.

"To these people, I would recommend that they find out more about them and try them. After all, popcorn is a wholegrain, many cereals are wholegrains, and a wide variety of wholegrain breads and pastas are available."

Reuters