Whole Grains Help You Live Longer

Most people know that whole grain is healthy. However, experts have now carried out a study to find out why we should integrate whole grain into our everyday lives.

Whole grain protects against diseases

As an international team of experts from Great Britain, Norway and the USA has now discovered, only a small amount of whole grain a day is enough to prolong life. A total of 45 studies with different disease foci were analysed, in which the protective effect of the grain was the main focus – the metastudy was published in the “British Medical Journal”.

But what are the results? People who ate around 90 grams of whole grain a day reduced the risk of contracting cardiovascular diseases by 22 percent. The general risk of developing cancer was reduced by 15 percent. Always compared to people who did not eat any whole grain at all. And also the risk of getting coronary heart disease decreased by 19 percent. However, the researchers could not prove an exact connection between the amount eaten and the protective effect. Incidentally, the risk of dying of diabetes, infectious diseases and respiratory diseases also decreased significantly.

Not all whole grains are the same

Whether dark bread or grain rolls: the appearance of the supposedly healthy food is often deceptive. After all, grains on bread and rolls do not mean that they contain real wholemeal flour. The addition of roasted or malt cereals, beet or caramel syrup can quickly give a white flour bread a dark colour. A genuine wholemeal bread or roll must consist of at least 90 percent rye and/or wholemeal products, such as wholemeal flour or wholemeal meal. 10 percent other flours are permitted.

Integrating whole grain products into everyday life – Our tips

• It does not always have to be the crunchy cereal for breakfast. A wholemeal bread with egg or avocado also makes for a great start to the day.
• Instead of wheat flour, it is better to use wholemeal flour. The flour contains the husk as well as the seedling and the kernel. If you like, you can mix white and wholemeal flour.
• Do not rely on the appearance of the bread. Better: ask the baker which baked goods contain real wholemeal flour.
• Instead of wheat noodles or rice, always use the delicious wholemeal variety. It takes some getting used to at first, but is much better for your health.