Study Finds Bigger Heart Benefits from 4–6 Whole-Grain Servings a Day
What Happened
A large study published in the European Heart Journal, analyzing data from 87 clinical trials involving more than 6,500 people, found that consuming 60–100 grams of whole grains per day (about 4–6 servings) was associated with improvements in several cardiovascular risk factors. Researchers observed reductions in body weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, total cholesterol, LDL ("bad") cholesterol, triglycerides, blood glucose and inflammation markers.
Key Takeaways
The strongest benefits were seen among people consuming 4–6 servings of whole grains daily, such as oatmeal, whole-grain bread and brown rice. Researchers say whole grains could help lower heart disease risk, though most studies were relatively short-term, so more research is needed to assess long-term effects.