Higher whole grain consumption associated with lower mortality risk
In a meta-analysis of 786,076 individuals, the consumption of whole grain products was inversely and significantly associated with mortality, especially CVD mortality, in a dose-response manner.
Whole Grain Intake and Mortality From All Causes, Cardiovascular Disease, and CancerA Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort StudiesLiterature - Zong G et al., Circulation 2016
Zong G, Gao A, Hu FB, et al.
Circulation. 2016;133:2370-2380
Background
Dietary guidelines endorse the consumption of whole grains (WGs) because they contain fiber, vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and other healthy nutrients. However, the actual intake of WG is far below the recommended quantities (48 g/d WG ingredients) [1-4].Data from prospective cohort studies show that the consumption of WG is associated with decreased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and cancer, however, there are no robust findings regarding mortality risk [5-8].
In this meta-analysis, the association between WG intake and risks of total, CVD, and cancer mortality was evaluated in 786,076 participants of 14 studies (most US, 3 Scandinavian and 1 UK). Median follow-up ranged from 6-28 years (1971-2010).
Main results
- Pooled relative risk (RR) was for total mortality: 0.84 (95% CI: 0.80–0.88; P<0.001; I2=74%, P heterogeneity <0.001), for CVD mortality: 0.82 (95% CI: 0.79–0.85; P<0.001; I2=0.0%, P heterogeneity = 0.53), and for cancer mortality: 0.88 (95% CI: 0.83–0.94; P<0.001; I2=54%, P heterogeneity = 0.02).
- Dose-response analysis (no WG consumption as a reference) showed total mortality RRsat 10 g/d: 0.93 (95% CI: 0.89–0.97), at 30 g/d: 0.84 (95% CI: 0.77–0.91), at 50 g/d: 0.80 (95% CI: 0.75–0.85) and at 70 g/d: 0.78 (95% CI: 0.74–0.82). All P<0.001, P trend <0.001 and P nonlinearity =0.06.
- Dose-response analysis (no WG consumption as a reference) showed CVD mortality RRs at 10 g/d: 0.92 (95% CI: 0.88–0.96), at 30 g/d: 0.81 (95% CI: 0.75–0.89), at 50 g/d: 0.78 (95% CI: 0.72–0.84), at 70 g/d: 0.77 (95% CI: 0.68–0.87). All P<0.001, P trend <0.001 and P nonlinearity =0.10).
- Dose-response analysis (no WG consumption as a reference) showed cancer mortality RR’s at 10 g/d: 0.96 (95% CI: 0.91–1.01; P=0.12), at 30 g/d: 0.89 (95% CI: 0.89–0.99; P=0.04), at 50 g/d: 0.85 (95% CI: 0.76–0.94; P=0.001), at 70 g/d: 0.80 (95% CI: 0.72–0.89; P<0.001). P trend <0.001, P nonlinearity =0.67.
- RR for each 16-g/d increase in WG ingredient consumption (≈1 serving per day) was for total mortality 0.93 (95% CI: 0.92–0.94), for CVD mortality 0.91 (95% CI: 0.90–0.93) and for cancer mortality 0.95 (95% CI: 0.94–0.96).
Conclusion
In a meta-analysis of 14 cohort studies, the consumption of whole grain products was inversely and significantly associated with mortality in a dose-response manner, especially with CVD mortality. These results support current dietary guidelines that recommend increasing WG intake to replace refined grains.Find this article online at Circulation
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