Refined grain consumption does not increase risk of cardiovascular disease, study finds

30 Sep 2022 --- A metastudy published in Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine shows that high consumption of refined grains does not increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, coronary heart disease, heart attack or failure, contrary to previous research. 

“Refined grains are typically included in the Western dietary pattern, including red and processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages, french fries and high-fat dairy products. Research shows that these foods, especially red and processed meat and sugar-sweetened beverages, are the real culprits in this dietary pattern,” says Dr. Glenn Gaesser, author of the new study and professor in the College of Health Solutions at Arizona State University.

“Meta-analyses in the new study indicate that the higher CVD risk associated with this dietary pattern is not from refined grain foods. These new results call into question the widely held view that refined grain foods are associated with an increased risk of CVD.” 

Global study
Seventeen prospective cohort studies with 877,462 participants restrained from eating refined grains. These are grains that have been milled, a process that removes the bran and germ to extend the grain’s shelf life. 

The study was conducted on a global scale, including participants in the US, Japan, China, Finland and Sweden.The nutrition community must acknowledge these results while still promoting increased consumption of whole grain foods.

“I hope these new results will be considered in formulating future dietary guidelines for Americans,” adds Gaesser. 

“The nutrition community must acknowledge these results, and while still promoting, rightfully so, increased consumption of whole grain foods, it doesn’t have to come at the expense of refined grain foods. Refined grain foods can fit in a healthy diet.”

Previous research
A recent study flagged that removing refined grain consumption from diets may cause nutrient deficiency, as these foods are rich in magnesium, iron and dietary fiber. In another recent study, aligning with Gaesser’s statement on red meat, saturated fats from meat showed a higher risk of CVD.

A recent study by Gaesser also showed that refined grains do not increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes, and again, removing the grains from a person’s diet depletes several nutrients.

The commissioner at the US Food and Drug Administration recently stressed that cardiovascular disease is one of the main causes of death in the US.

Edited by Beatrice Wihlander