New Study Links Whole Grain Intake to Improved Cardiometabolic Health
A new meta-analysis of 87 randomized controlled trials, published in the European Heart Journal, provides strong evidence that higher whole-grain intake is associated with improvements in various cardiometabolic risk factors. The study, which included 6,529 adults from Asia, Europe, Canada, the U.S., Australia, and Brazil, is the largest and most comprehensive review to date on this topic. Researchers found that increased consumption of whole grains led to reductions in total cholesterol, body weight, waist circumference, and interleukin-6, an inflammation marker. Significant improvements were also observed in LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1C, fasting insulin, and body fat percentage. The most substantial improvements were noted with a daily intake of approximately four to six servings of whole grains. One serving is defined as half a cup of cooked whole-grain rice, quinoa, farro, freekeh, bulgur, oatmeal, or whole-grain pasta, one slice of 10...
