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Whole Grains for a Healthier Heart: Study Shows Significant Benefits
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Firstpost•04-10-2026, 09:43
Whole Grains for a Healthier Heart: Study Shows Significant Benefits
- •A new study in the European Heart Journal suggests replacing refined grains with whole grains can improve heart and metabolic health markers.
- •Daily consumption of 48g of whole grains was linked to reductions in body weight, waist circumference, total cholesterol, and inflammatory markers.
- •Strongest benefits were observed at 60-100g of whole grains daily, equivalent to about four to six servings.
- •Benefits are seen when whole grains replace refined grains, emphasizing grain quality over simply adding more to the diet.
- •Dietitian Kanika Malhotra advises South Asians to upgrade their staple grains and add more colorful vegetables to their plates for better health outcomes.
Key Questions Answered
Replacing refined grains with whole grains is linked to reductions in body weight, waist circumference, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, systolic blood pressure, and the inflammatory marker interleukin-6.
The strongest effects for several measures were observed at around 60 to 100 grams of whole grains a day, which is equivalent to roughly four to six servings.
Consumers should check the back of the packet to ensure whole wheat atta is listed first by weight rather than refined flour or maida. Additionally, shoppers should verify fiber content, look for stated grain percentages, and be cautious of misleading front-of-pack claims.
