The nutritional and physiological impact of cereal products in human nutrition

There is a need for reeducation of the population, especially in developed countries, as to the value of cereals in the diet. Cereals provide calories and important nutrients to the diet. Refined cereal products and unrefined cereals have certain advantages and disadvantages. With refinement, some nutrients and fiber are removed, but the body is better able to make use of certain nutrients. Essential nutrients are being replaced through fortification to compensate for losses in processing. The high fiber content of unrefined cereal products is believed to aid in the prevention of certain diseases. Special dietary bakery products have been introduced for the treatment of conditions generally exacerbated by standard food items. The increased consumption of cereal products appears warranted as a means of decreasing the saturated fat and cholesterol consumption. Cereals and cereal products have been mentioned in connection with allergies, celiac disease, schizophrenia, obesity, dental caries, cancer, atherosclerosis, goiter, and diverticulosis. This review discusses the possible role of cereals in the prevention or cause of these health problems.