Similar responses in hemostatic factors after consumption of wholemeal rye bread and low-fiber wheat bread

Both epidemiological and experimental evidence suggests a protective effect of dietary fiber against disease, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. The effects of fiber on lipoproteins are modest, indicating that other mechanisms may be involved. As the hemostatic effects of different types of fiber are poorly known, we compared the effects of wholemeal rye bread and low-fiber wheat bread on factors related to coagulation, fibrinolysis and platelet function.

Subjects consumed rye and wheat bread as part of their habitual diet in a cross-over manner for 4 weeks, with a 4 week washout period between the diet periods.

Forty healthy subjects (18 men, 22 women), aged 43+/-2 y.

Mean daily intake of fiber during the rye bread period was 31 g for men and 26 g for women, while the respective figures for the wheat bread period were 15 g and 12 g. However, no significant differences between the two periods were seen in factor VII coagulant activity (FVIIc), fibrinogen, prothrombin fragments 1+2 (F1+2), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) or 2,3,-dinor-thromboxane B2. Fibrin degradation products, D-dimers, were slightly lower after the wheat period (P=0.046).

The results indicate that wheat and rye bread do not differ in their effects on coagulation, fibrinolysis or platelet function.

Fazer Bakeries Ltd, Lahti Finland; Vaasan & Vaasan Ltd, Helsinki, Finland.