Putting the Whole Grain Puzzle Together: Health Benefits Associated with Whole Grains—Summary of American Society for Nutrition 2010 Satellite Symposium

Authors

Satya S. Jonnalagadda, General Mills Bell Institute of Health and NutritionFollow
Lisa Harnack, University of Minnesota
Rui Hai Liu, Cornell University
Nicola McKeown, Tufts University
Chris Seal, New Castle University
Simin Liu, University of California - Los Angeles
George C. Fahey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Date of this Version

2011

Comments

Published in J. Nutr. (2011) 141: 1011S–1022S doi:10.3945/jn.110.132944

Abstract

The symposium “Putting the Whole Grain Puzzle Together: Health Benefits Associated with Whole Grains” sponsored by the ASN brought together researchers to review the evidence regarding the health benefits associated with whole grains. Current scientific evidence indicates that whole grains play an important role in lowering the risk of chronic diseases, such as coronary heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, and also contribute to body weight management and gastrointestinal health. The essential macro- and micronutrients, along with the phytonutrients present in whole grains, synergistically contribute to their beneficial effects. Current evidence lends credence to the recommendations to incorporate whole grain foods into a healthy diet and lifestyle program. The symposium also highlighted the need for further research to examine the role of whole grain foods in disease prevention and management to gain a better understanding of their mechanisms of action.