The whole-grain conundrum.

摘要

Many epidemiological studies have shown that whole grains are associated with reduced risk of many chronic diseases. However, large randomized clinical trials have failed to substantiate a number of the associations observed in epidemiological studies. This article discusses confounding in the data, methodologies and mechanisms of such studies. Aspects considered include: confounding in observational studies; amount of whole grain required in a food for it to be considered a wholegrain food; epidemiological studies vs. intervention studies; and new research on various whole grains and their components (wheat, rice, oats, rye, cancer and sateity, and whole grains and wt.).