Rye, lignans and human health

• Published in: Proceedings of the Nutrition Society Vol. 62; no. 1; pp. 193 - 199
• Main Authors: Hallmans, Göran, Zhang, Jie-Xian, Lundin, Eva, Stattin, PäR, Johansson, Anders, Johansson, Ingegerd, Hultén, Kerstin, Winkvist, Anna, Lenner, Per, Åman, Per, Adlercreutz, Herman
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.02.2003; CABI Pub. on behalf of the Nutrition Society
• Subjects: Bioactive compounds; Biomarkers; blood; brain; Breast cancer; Cardiovascular Diseases - diet therapy; Cardiovascular Diseases - prevention & control; Diabetes; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - diet therapy; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - prevention & control; Diet; Dietary fiber; Dietary Fiber - metabolism; digestive tract; epidemiological studies; Food, Organic; Grain; Health care; human health; Human subjects; Humans; infarction; lignans; Lignans - metabolism; myocardial infarction; neoplasms; Neoplasms - diet therapy; Neoplasms - prevention & control; Nutrition research; Plasma; Prostate cancer; protective effect; rye; Rye bran; Secale - chemistry; Session: Nutrients contributing to the fibre effect; stroke; whole grain foods; Finland; Cardiovascular disease; Dietary fibre; Diabetes mellitus; Lignans; Rye; Cancer
• ISSN: 0029-6651; 1475-2719; 1475-2719
• DOI: 10.1079/PNS2002229

Rye bran contains a high content not only of dietary fibre, but also of plant lignans and other bioactive compounds in the so-called dietary fibre complex. Blood concentrations of lignans such as enterolactone have been used as biomarkers of intake of lignan-rich plant food. At present, evidence from studies in human subjects does not warrant the conclusion that rye, whole grains or phyto-oestrogens protect against cancer. Some studies, however, have pointed in that direction, especially in relation to cancers of the upper digestive tract. A number of prospective epidemiological studies have clearly shown a protective effect of whole-grain cereals against myocardial infarctions. A corresponding protective effect against diabetes and ischaemic stroke (brain infarct) has also been demonstrated. It seems reasonable to assume that these protective effects are associated with one or more factors in the dietary fibre complex.