A whole grain diet can lower the risk of heart disease and other diseases such as cancer, arteriosclerosis, diabetes and tooth decay. They have healing and preventive power over these diseases.
i. The protective effect of whole grains with regards to heart disease is due to high levels of antioxidants, unsaturated fatty acids, trace elements, phyto-chemicals and cellulose fibre.
• Insoluble cellulose fibre in whole grains acts like a broom sweeping the digestive tract and thus cleansing it.
• A study conducted in Harvard University (USA) demonstrated that the more whole grain products are eaten, the lower the risk of non-insulin dependent diabetes
• They do not contain cholesterol and therefore do not contribute to the increase but rather reduction of its level in the blood.
• The fibre swells in the stomach which helps to reduce additional food intake thus preventing obesity.