Yup, wholegrains are good for you, of course

Health Benefits Of Whole Grains Confirmed
http://www.sciencedaily.com/release...70509161030.htm

Science Daily — A diet high in whole grain foods is associated with a significantly lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, according to an analysis conducted by researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.

"Consuming an average of 2.5 servings of whole grains each day is associated with a 21 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease compared to consuming only 0.2 servings," said Philip Mellen, M.D., lead author and an assistant professor of internal medicine. "These findings suggest that we should redouble our efforts to encourage patients to include more of these foods in their diets."

The findings are based on an analysis of seven studies involving more than 285,000 people. By combining the data from these seven studies, researchers were able to detect effects that may not have shown up in each individual study. The studies were conducted between 1966 and April 2006.

Mellen said the findings are consistent with earlier research, but that despite abundant evidence about the health benefits of whole grains, intake remains low. A nutrition survey conducted between 1999 and 2000 found that only 8 percent of U.S. adults consumed three or more servings of whole grain per day and that 42 percent of adults ate no whole grains on a given day. "Many consumers and health professionals are unaware of the health benefits of whole grains," said Mellen.

A grain is "whole" when the entire grain seed is retained: the bran, germ and the endosperm. The bran and germ components are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fats. These are the parts removed in the refining process, leaving behind the energy-dense but nutrient-poor endosperm portion of the grain. Examples of whole grain foods include wild rice, popcorn, oatmeal, brown rice, barley, wheat berries and flours such as whole wheat.

In addition to protecting against cardiovascular disease, which accounts for one-third of deaths worldwide, there is evidence that whole grains also project against diabetes and other chronic conditions.

"Years ago, scientists hypothesized that the higher rates of chronic diseases we have in the West, including heart disease, are due, in part, to a diet full of processed foods," Mellen said. "Subsequent studies have born that out -- especially with whole grains. Greater whole grain intake is associated with less obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol -- major factors that increase the risk for heart disease and stroke."

According to nutritionists, consumers should look for "100 percent whole grain" on food labels or look for specific types of whole-grain flour as the main ingredient, such as "whole wheat."

These results were published on line in Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases and will appear in a future print issue.

Co-researchers were: Thomas Walsh, M.D., and David Herrington, M.H.S., M.D., both from Wake Forest.

Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center

Bleh, whole grains, half grains, 3/4 grains make me so sick it irritates the stuffing out of me to see this pushed and pushed. And with 1 out of 100 people having celiac disease, and 97% of them undiagnosed well lets just say, there are plenty of things out there that have more nutrients and fiber than grains do.

I'd advise anyone with IBS to try giving up grains for awhile and see if your symptoms clear.

Whole grains are healthy because of the fiber. Fiber dampens the insulin response. Grains taken with protein dampens the insulin response even more. But it's not an excuse to 'pig out' on grains.

Most whole gain products have very little fiber. Cheerios are whole gain oats, but only have 3 grams of fiber for every 20 grams of carbs. If you want fiber, eat vegetables, not grains.

We are grain-free now. It is the first time in his life that my husband doe not have gastrointestinal distress. He can't have gluten and cutting that out helped, but it wasn't until he stopped eating all grains that he became symptom-free.

Janine

I'm suspicious when I see 'whole grain'. Especially on a box of kid's cereal. I doubt the government lets Kellog sell oatmeal with the shell. The shell is indigestable for all but a cow. The shell is removed and Kellog can still claim it to be whole grain. Its similar to the govt saying 1% milk fat is the same as nonfat. I think much of the whole grain mania is meaningless because it's never truly whole grain. And the insulin effect of fiber is lost when you dump a pound of sugar over the oatmeal the way my wife does.

Grains are a horrible food..period.

Well said.

All things in moderation...

...except grains

Honestly, I can't think of an upside to eating grains.

True

You could read this! All references are at the bottom
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?...odspice&dbid=66

Btw, I don't believe a person should have their diet primarily consisting of wholegrains, but eating one or two servings a day is fine for most healthy people as indicated by scientific data.

Oh Whoa,
do yourself a favor and read the book Dangerous Grains by James Braly and Ron Hoggan or Mercolas No Grain diet.

Braly makes a direct correlation to grain consumption as a cause of us getting cancer,autoimmune disease,pain,infertility and other disorders.

And we all know how wonderful they are for celiac,IBS and other digestive disorders.. or is that just hype?

Plus some grains have a fungus.. aflatoxins that have been linked to liver damage in humans and animals and is a known carcinogenic. It is also found in legumes,especially peanuts

Harvesters do what they can to reduce the rate of aflatoxins,but some years it is rampant, particularly in corn.s

Think about it. Once grains are harvested it sits in storage..who knows for how long. Moisture,varying temps and time set in.

Perfect breeding ground for these little critters

So why risk it

They are just not an ideal food for humans to eat..not on a daily basis.

Before anyone assumes that grains are good for them, they should go grain free for a couple of weeks and see how they feel. In my experience, a lot of those nasty things I was attributing to aging, went away when I removed grains from my diet, in particular wheat, rye, barley, oats, corn. I can eat a little rice but it plays hell with the blood sugars.