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Whole grains and human health
1Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, 1334 Eckles Avenue, St Paul, MN 55108, USA. jslavin@umn.edu
Nutrition Research Reviews
|December 17, 2008
Summary
Whole grains offer significant protection against major diseases like cancer and diabetes. Despite health recommendations, daily intake remains low, missing out on crucial nutrients and protective compounds.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Epidemiology
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- Epidemiological studies link whole-grain consumption to reduced risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, and obesity.
- Despite recommendations for three daily servings, typical intake in Western countries is only one serving per day.
- Whole grains are dense in nutrients, phytochemicals, dietary fiber, resistant starch, and antioxidants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the protective health benefits of whole grains.
- To highlight the discrepancy between recommended and actual whole-grain intake.
- To emphasize the comprehensive disease-preventive properties of whole grains.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological studies on whole-grain intake and disease risk.
- Analysis of the composition of whole grains, including nutrients, fiber, and phytochemicals.
- Examination of findings from whole-grain feeding studies on health biomarkers.
Main Results:
- Whole grains contain protective compounds like antioxidants, phytate, lignans, plant stanols/sterols, vitamins, and minerals.
- Whole-grain consumption is associated with improved biomarkers, including weight loss, better blood lipids, and antioxidant protection.
- The disease-preventive effects of whole grains in epidemiological studies surpass those of isolated nutrients or phytochemicals.
Conclusions:
- Whole grains provide substantial health benefits, offering protection against major chronic diseases.
- Increasing whole-grain intake is crucial for public health to achieve recommended levels.
- The synergistic effect of components in whole grains contributes to their potent health-protective properties.
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