The metabolic syndrome which results in a higher risk of cardiovascular disease or diabetes can be reduced by consuming whole grain foods, according to a research conducted by Nadine Sahyoun of the University of Maryland. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has published the results of the study. The study has revealed that elders who ate three whole grain food servings a day, had a lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome than people who ate less than one serving a day.
There have been studies that show the benefits for a middle-aged population, according to Sahyoun. ‘Ours is the first study that shows the relationship between eating whole grains and the health benefits for older people, whose metabolic characteristics are different from younger adults,’ Sahyoun said.In a group whose average age was 72 for men and 73 for women, the study found that subjects who consumed about three servings of whole grain a day, such as whole grain bread, cereal and brown rice, had a lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome than people who ate less than one serving a day.
‘Whole-grain foods contain fiber, vitamins, minerals and other things that are removed during refining,’ said Sahyoun.
‘We recommend that whole grain intake should start from a very young age to develop a healthy lifestyle. Cardiovascular changes and diabetes risk are starting to occur earlier now, especially due to the obesity epidemic,’ he concluded.
Edited (ANI)
