Refined grain intake linked to higher risk of heart disease, death

High intake of highly processed or refined grains is associated with higher risk of heart disease and death than whole unrefined grains, according to a new study published in the journal The BMJ.

Cereal grains, such as oats, rice, barley, and wheat make up around 50 percent of daily caloric intake across the world and up to 70 percent in low and middle income countries, particularly in Africa and South Asia.Whole grains tend to be higher in dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids than refined grains. Previous studies have shown that higher whole grain intake is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease and death, but no clear associations were found for refined grains.

To address this evidence gap, researchers set out to assess the association between intakes of refined grains, whole grains, and white rice with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. Their findings are based on data for 137,130 people aged 35 to 70 years across 21 low-, middle-, and high-income countries who had no history of heart disease and were taking part in the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study.

The researchers examined white rice separately from all other refined grains because more than 60 percent of the PURE population live in Asia where rice is a staple food. Detailed information on participants' education, wealth, lifestyle, and medical history was collected at the start of the study and validated food questionnaires were used to assess intakes of refined grains, whole grains, and white rice. Deaths from cardiovascular causes or serious cardiovascular events including heart attack, stroke, and heart failure were then tracked over an average of 9.4 years, according to the study.

After taking account of other potentially influential factors, the researchers found that the highest category of intake of refined grains, at least 350 grams or about seven servings per day, was associated with a 27 percent higher risk of death and a 33 percent higher risk of serious cardiovascular events compared with the lowest category of intake of less than 50 grams per day. Higher intakes of refined grains were also associated with higher blood pressure, but no significant associations were found between intakes of whole grains or white rice and health outcomes, the researchers said.

This is an observational study, so can't establish cause, and the researchers said there were some limitations, such as relying on recall for food questionnaires, which may have affected the accuracy of results. However, with data from 21 countries across five continents, the researchers said they were able to analyze broad patterns of diet, meaning the results are likely to be robust and widely applicable to populations across the world. As such, they suggest that, globally, a lower intake of refined products should be encouraged while promoting a higher intake of whole grains.

"Reduction in quantity and improvement in quality of carbohydrate is essential for better health outcomes," they said.