09.27.07
Indication: Blood pressure
Source: Am J Clin Nutr, August 2007; 86(2):472-479.
Research: Prospective studies linking whole- and refined-grain intakes with the risk of hypertension, a major cardiovascular disease risk factor, remain limited. So researchers aimed to determine whether baseline intake of whole or refined grains is associated with subsequent development of hypertension They used data from the Women's Health Study, which has followed nearly 40,000 U.S. female health professionals for 15 years.
Results: Of the nearly 30,000 women free of high blood pressure at the outset, those who ate the most whole grains had a lower risk of developing the condition. The protective effect was even apparent when researchers considered other risk factors like weight, smoking and exercise. In contrast, refined grains like pasta and white bread were unrelated to high blood pressure risk.