Daily HealthBeat Tip - June 04, 2007

Whole grain wholesomeness

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Whole grains are rich in fiber and other things that help to keep you healthy. 

Researchers say eating whole grain foods supports reductions in weight loss, heart disease, and diabetes. Dr. Philip Mellen of Wake Forest University School of Medicine says two and one-half servings a day cut the risk of heart and circulatory disease by about 20 percent.

"As a physician, it’s one of the easiest lifestyle changes I could recommend, with a tangible benefit." (7 seconds)

The federal Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends at least half of our grain foods should be whole grains. Look for the phrase "100 percent whole grain," or for whole-grain ingredients, such as oatmeal, brown rice, popcorn, and wild rice.

The study was in the journal Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

Last revised: June, 04 2007