Whole grain intake and cardiovascular disease: a meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
Whole grain food sources have been associated with lowered risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Studies in recent years have strengthened this observation and elucidated potential mechanisms for this association. This study sought to quantitate the available observational evidence on whole grain intake and clinical cardiovascular events.


RESULTS
Seven prospective cohort studies with quantitative measures of dietary whole grains and clinical cardiovascular outcomes were identified from MEDLINE searches and a review of the literature. Based on event estimates adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors, greater whole grain intake (pooled average 2.5 servings/d vs. 0.2 servings/d) was associated with a 21% lower risk of CVD events [OR 0.79 (95% CI: 0.73-0.85)]. Similar estimates were noted for different CVD outcomes (heart disease, stroke, fatal CVD) and in sex-specific analyses. Conversely, refined grain intake was not associated with incident CVD events [1.07 (0.94-1.22)].


CONCLUSIONS
There is a consistent, inverse association between dietary whole grains and incident cardiovascular disease in epidemiological cohort studies. In light of this evidence, policy-makers, scientists, and clinicians should redouble efforts to incorporate clear messages on the beneficial effects of whole grains into public health and clinical practice endeavors.
Mellen
Philip B
PB
Department of Internal Medicine, Section of General Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Medical Center Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA. pmellen@wfubmc.edu
Walsh
Thomas F
TF
Herrington
David M
DM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004032:Diet; D004034:Diet Surveys; D002523:Edible Grain; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors