Plausible mechanisms for the protectiveness of whole grains

• Published in: The American journal of clinical nutrition Vol. 70; no. 3; pp. 459S - 463S
• Main Authors: Slavin, Joanne L, Martini, Margaret C, Jacobs, David R, Marquart, Len
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD Elsevier Inc 01.09.1999; American Society for Clinical Nutrition; American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc
• Subjects: Antioxidants; binding; Biological and medical sciences; blood chemistry; Cancer; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cardiopathies: etiologic forms (general aspects and miscellaneous); Cardiovascular disease; cardiovascular diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases - epidemiology; Cardiovascular Diseases - prevention & control; Chronic Disease; chronic disease prevention; chronic diseases; Colon cancer; corn; diabetes; Diabetes. Impaired glucose tolerance; Diet; Dietary fiber; Dietary Fiber - administration & dosage; Dietary Fiber - classification; Dietary Fiber - therapeutic use; disease prevention; Edible Grain - classification; Edible Grain - therapeutic use; Endocrine pancreas. Apud cells (diseases); Endocrinopathies; epidemiology; Etiopathogenesis. Screening. Investigations. Target tissue resistance; Food Analysis; food intake; gastric cancer; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; glycemic index; Guidelines as Topic; health promotion; Heart; Humans; inhibitors; lignans; literature reviews; Medical sciences; neoplasms; Neoplasms - epidemiology; Neoplasms - prevention & control; oligosaccharides; oxidation; phenolic compounds; phytoestrogens; Phytotherapy; plant estrogens; Prevention; resistant starch; rice; starch; Stomach. Duodenum. Small intestine. Colon. Rectum. Anus; trace elements; trace minerals; Tumors; Vitamins; Wheat; whole grains; cardiovascular disease; glycemic index; gastric cancer; antioxidants; colon cancer; corn; oligosaccharides; whole grains; phytoestrogens; trace minerals; rice; lignans; epidemiology; vitamins; resistant starch; wheat; dietary fiber; diabetes; chronic disease prevention; Cancer; Endocrinopathy; Human; Stomach; Diabetes mellitus; Wholemeal; Cardiovascular disease; Review; Malignant tumor; Antioxidant; Feeding; Colonic disease; Prevention; Diet; Animal; Plant origin; Digestive diseases; Intestinal disease; Cereal; Colon; Dietary fiber; Gastric disease
• ISSN: 0002-9165; 1938-3207
• DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/70.3.459s

Dietary guidelines recommend the consumption of whole grains to prevent chronic diseases. Epidemiologic studies support the theory that whole grains are protective against cancer, especially gastrointestinal cancers such as gastric and colon can-cer, and cardiovascular disease. Components in whole grains that may be protective include compounds that affect the gut envi-ronment, such as dietary fiber, resistant starch, and oligosaccha-rides. Whole grains are also rich in compounds that function as antioxidants, such as trace minerals and phenolic compounds, and phytoestrogens, with potential hormonal effects. Other potential mechanisms whereby whole grains may protect against disease include binding of carcinogens and modulation of the glycemic response. Clearly, the range of protective substances in whole grains is impressive and advice to consume additional whole grains is justified. Further study is needed regarding the mechanisms behind this protection so that the most potent protective com-ponents of whole grains will be maintained when developing whole grains into acceptable food products for the public.