The recently revised Food Guide Pyramid, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans have for the first time revealed quantitative recommendation of whole grain intake.

In a study published in the January issue of American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University (HNRCA) found that consuming a diet rich in whole-grain foods may lower an elderly person's risk for cardiovascular disease and reduce the onset of metabolic syndrome.

"Previous studies have found a link between whole-grain intake and reduced risk of metabolic syndrome in middle-aged populations. What's unique about our study," says McKeown, "is that we went back to data that was collected 20 years ago, using diet records that captured food intake, and found that whole-grain foods had a subsequent benefit in the elderly."

Metabolic syndrome, which is a collection of risk factors, puts people at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type-2 diabetes.

Whole grains contain the entire grain kernel -- the bran, germ, and endosperm. Examples include: whole-wheat flour, bulgur (cracked wheat), oatmeal, whole cornmeal and brown rice. (Source: USDA)

Researchers recommend that older adults should be encouraged to increase their daily intake of whole grain foods to three or more servings a day by substituting whole grains for refined grains.

Source: [EurekAlert]