Mechanisms for the Impact of Whole Grain Foods on Cancer Risk

The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code does not regulate on-pack claims describing the amount of whole grain in foods. In July 2013, The Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council™ (GLNC) established a voluntary Code of Practice for Whole Grain Ingredient Content Claims (the Code) providing guidance for whole grain claims, with cut-off values and suggested wording ≥8 g, ≥16 g, and ≥24 g per manufacturer serve (contains; high and very high in whole grain), based on a 48 g whole grain daily target intake. The aim of this impact assessment was to report the uptake of the Code by manufacturers, changes in numbers of whole grain products, and claims on-pack since 2013, including compliance. The impact assessment was undertaken in August 2019, comparing current registered manufacturers (“users”) and their products to the total number of products in the market deemed eligible for registration through GLNC product audits since 2013. Reporting included breakfast cereals, bread products, crispbreads, crackers, rice/corn cakes, rice, pasta, noodles, couscous, other grains (e.g., quinoa, buckwheat, freekeh), and grain-based muesli bars. As of 30 June 2019, there were 33 registered users and 531 registered products in Australia and New Zealand representing 43% of the eligible manufacturers and 65% of the eligible whole grain foods. Three-quarters (78% and 74%) of the eligible breakfast cereals and bread products were registered with the Code in 2019, followed by 62% of grain-based muesli bars. Only 39% of crispbread, crackers, rice/corn cakes, and rice, pasta, noodles, couscous, and other grains were registered. From 2013 there has been a 71% increase in the number of whole grain foods making claims, demonstrating strong uptake by industry, with clearer, more consistent, and compliant on-pack communication regarding whole grain content.

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The impact of a 16-week dietary intervention with prescribed amounts of whole-grain foods on subsequent, elective whole grain consumption

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114512006034 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 110 (5) ◽

pp. 943-948 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Iain A. Brownlee ◽

Sharron A. Kuznesof ◽

Carmel Moore ◽

Susan A. Jebb ◽

Chris J. Seal

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Dietary Intervention ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Population Based ◽

Control Group ◽

Whole Grain ◽

Direct Exposure ◽

The Uk ◽

The Impact ◽

Grain Foods

Previous (mainly population-based) studies have suggested the health benefits of the elective, lifelong inclusion of whole-grain foods in the diet, forming the basis for public health recommendations to increase whole grain consumption. Currently, there is limited evidence to assess how public health recommendations can best result in longer-term improvements in dietary intake. The present study aimed to assess the impact of a previous 16-week whole-grain intervention on subsequent, elective whole grain consumption in free-living individuals. Participants completed a postal FFQ 1, 6 and 12 months after the end of the whole-grain intervention study period. This FFQ included inputs for whole-grain foods commonly consumed in the UK. Whole grain consumption was significantly higher (approximately doubled) in participants who had received whole-grain foods during the intervention (P< 0·001) compared with the control group who did not receive whole-grain foods during the intervention. This increased whole grain consumption was lower than whole grain intake levels required by participants during the intervention period between 60 and 120 g whole grains/d. Aside from a significant increase (P< 0·001) in NSP consumption compared with control participants (mean increase 2–3 g/d), there were no obvious improvements to the pattern of foods of the intervention group. The results of the present study suggest that a period of direct exposure to whole-grain foods in non-habitual whole-grain food consumers may benefit subsequent, elective dietary patterns of whole grain consumption. These findings may therefore aid the development of future strategies to increase whole grain consumption for public health and/or food industry professionals.

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Effects of Whole Grain, Compared to Refined Grain, Intake on Subjective Measures of Appetite: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa049_050 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 657-657

Author(s):

Lisa Sanders ◽

Yong Zhu ◽

Meredith Wilcox ◽

Orsolya Palacios ◽

Katie Koecher ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Food Intake ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Sensitivity Analyses ◽

Whole Grain ◽

Subjective Measures ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

The Impact ◽

Grain Foods

Abstract Objectives Results from observational studies indicate that whole grain intake is inversely associated with BMI and risk of weight gain. Whole grain intake may influence energy balance and body composition through effects on appetite and thus, energy intake. To evaluate the impact of whole grain food consumption on appetite, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing whole grain food intake and subjective measures of appetite in adults. Methods A search of PubMed, Scopus and Food Science and Technology abstracts yielded 34 RCTs measuring hunger ratings after consuming whole grain foods compared to refined grain controls. Seventeen of these studies (598 subjects), with a total of 33 unique whole grain treatments, reported areas under the curve (AUC) for subjective hunger and were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled estimates from meta-analyses are expressed as standardized mean differences (SMD). Results Intake of whole grain foods resulted in significantly lower subjective hunger AUC (range for AUC times ranged from 120 to 270 min) compared to refined grain foods [SMD −0.36, P < 0.001, 95% CI (−0.48, −0.24)]. Sensitivity analyses were also completed in which studies with AUC values for < and ≥ 180 min were evaluated separately, as well as hunger ratings at the 180 min timepoint alone, and the results were similar to those for the main analysis (SMDs −0.33 to −0.54, all P ≤ 0.03). Conclusions These results support the view that consumption of whole grain foods, compared to refined grain controls, significantly reduces subjective hunger, and this may provide at least part of the explanation for the inverse associations between whole grain food intake and risks for overweight, obesity and weight gain over time. Funding Sources This study was funded by the Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition, General Mills, Minneapolis, MN and registered with PROSPERO.

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Whole Grains, Refined Grains, and Cancer Risk: A Systematic Review of Meta-Analyses of Observational Studies

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12123756 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (12) ◽

pp. 3756

Author(s):

Glenn A. Gaesser

Keyword(s):

Cancer Risk ◽

Lower Risk ◽

Whole Grains ◽

Whole Grain ◽

Site Specific ◽

Refined Grains ◽

Specific Cancer ◽

Total Cancer ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

Grain Foods

PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched for meta-analyses that provided risk estimates (±95% confidence intervals) for associations between intakes of whole and refined grains and risk of total and site-specific cancer. The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Only meta-analyses that included whole grains and refined grains as separate food groups, and not as part of dietary patterns, were included. A total of 17 publications were identified that met inclusion criteria. Within these, results from a total of 54 distinct meta-analyses were reported for whole grains and 5 meta-analyses for refined grains. For total cancer mortality, 7 meta-analyses of cohort studies indicated that whole grain intake was associated with 6% to 12% lower risk in comparison of highest vs. lowest intake groups, and 3% to 20% lower risk for doses ranging from 15 to 90 g/day. For site-specific cancers, meta-analyses indicated that whole grain intake was consistently associated with lower risks of colorectal, colon, gastric, pancreatic, and esophageal cancers. Limited data were available for refined grains, with only 4 publications providing risk estimates, and only 1 of the meta-analyses included more than 3 studies. High intake of refined grains was associated with increased risk of colon and gastric cancer. By contrast, in the only dose-response meta-analysis, each 90 g/day consumption of refined grains was associated with a 6% lower risk of total cancer. In addition to the limited number of published meta-analyses on refined grains, results were also weakened due to the fact that refined grains were frequently defined to include both staple grain foods and indulgent grain foods, and the majority of studies included in the meta-analyses provided no specific definition of refined grains. Overall, meta-analyses of cohort and case-control studies consistently demonstrate that whole grain intake is associated with lower risk of total and site-specific cancer, and support current dietary recommendations to increase whole grain consumption. By contrast, the relationship between refined grain intake and cancer risk is inconclusive.

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The effects of whole grain intake on anthropometric measures in overweight and obese children: a crossover randomised clinical trial

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s000711452100026x ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Parisa Hajihashemi ◽

Leila Azadbakht ◽

Mahin Hashemipour ◽

Roya Kelishadi ◽

Parvane Saneei ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Waist Circumference ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Randomised Clinical Trial ◽

Slight Reduction ◽

Whole Grain ◽

Obese Children ◽

Anthropometric Measures ◽

Before And After ◽

Grain Foods

Abstract Whole-grain foods have been reported to affect body weight and satiety. However, we are aware of no study in this regard among children. The present study aimed to determine the effects of whole grain consumption on anthropometric measures in overweight or obese children. In this randomised crossover clinical trial, forty-four overweight or obese girls participated. After a 2-week run-in period, subjects were randomly assigned to either intervention (n 44) or non-intervention (n 44) groups. Subjects in the intervention group were given a list of whole-grain foods and were asked to obtain half of their grain servings from these foods each day for 6 weeks. Individuals in the non-intervention group were asked not to consume any of these foods. A 4-week washout period was applied. Then, participants were crossed over to the alternate arm. The measurements were done before and after each phase. Mean age, weight and BMI of participants were 11·2 (sd 1·49) years, 51·2 (sd 10·2) kg and 23·5 (sd 2·5) kg/m2, respectively. Despite the slight reduction in weight and BMI, there were no significant differences in changes in these anthropometric measures. We found a significant effect of whole grain intake on waist circumference (−2·7 v. 0·3 cm, P = 0·04). No significant changes in hip circumference were observed. Changes in the prevalence of overweight, obesity and abdominal obesity were not significantly different. This study indicated a beneficial effect of whole-grain foods on waist circumference in overweight children; however, these foods did not influence weight and BMI.

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