Abstract
Background and aims
Whole grain food sources have been associated with lowered risk of cardiovascular
disease (CVD). Studies in recent years have strengthened this observation and elucidated
potential mechanisms for this association. This study sought to quantitate the available
observational evidence on whole grain intake and clinical cardiovascular events.
Methods and results
Seven prospective cohort studies with quantitative measures of dietary whole grains
and clinical cardiovascular outcomes were identified from MEDLINE searches and a review
of the literature. Based on event estimates adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors,
greater whole grain intake (pooled average 2.5 servings/d vs. 0.2 servings/d) was
associated with a 21% lower risk of CVD events [OR 0.79 (95% CI: 0.73–0.85)]. Similar
estimates were noted for different CVD outcomes (heart disease, stroke, fatal CVD)
and in sex-specific analyses. Conversely, refined grain intake was not associated
with incident CVD events [1.07 (0.94–1.22)].
Conclusions
There is a consistent, inverse association between dietary whole grains and incident
cardiovascular disease in epidemiological cohort studies. In light of this evidence,
policy-makers, scientists, and clinicians should redouble efforts to incorporate clear
messages on the beneficial effects of whole grains into public health and clinical
practice endeavors.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 24, 2007
Accepted:
December 19,
2006
Received in revised form:
December 12,
2006
Received:
July 12,
2006
Identification
Copyright
© 2007 Elsevier B.V. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
