Whole Grain Diet

Understanding Whole Grain Nutrition

Whole Grains are the seeds of plants that belong to the grass
family. This seed, also known as the kernel, is made up of three
key parts: the bran, the germ, and the endosperm.

A whole grain can be a single food, such as oatmeal, brown rice,
barley, or popcorn, or an ingredient in another food such as bread
or cereal. Whole grains include whole wheat, whole oats/oatmeal,
whole-grain corn, popcorn, brown rice, whole rye, whole-grain
barley, wild rice, buckwheat, bulgur (cracked wheat), millet,
quinoa, and sorghum. Other less common whole grains include
amaranth, emmer, farro, grano (lightly pearled wheat), spelt, and
wheat berries.

Recent research reported in the May 2007 issue of the online
journal Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases, shows that
Americans should eat more whole grains like oatmeal, barley and
brown rice to help lower their risk of clogged arteries, heart
attacks and strokes, according to researchers. The study's lead
author, Dr. Philip B Mellen, of Wake Forest University in
Winston-Salem, North Carolina commented: "Many consumers and health
professionals are not aware of the health benefits of whole
grains".

In a review of seven major studies, the researchers found that
higher whole grain intake was consistently linked to a lower risk
of heart disease and stroke. On average, adults who ate 2.5
servings of whole grains per day were nearly one-quarter less
likely to develop cardiovascular disease than their peers who
rarely consumed whole grains. Whole grains are believed to
benefit the heart in a number of ways. The fiber and other
nutrients in whole grains may help lower cholesterol, blood sugar
and insulin levels, as well as improve blood vessel functioning and
reduce inflammation in the circulatory system. Yet, surveys show
that few Americans get the recommended three servings of whole
grains per day, according to the authors of the new study. More
than 40 percent of U.S. adults say they eat no whole grains at all.

So I want all of you to eat more whole grains every day -- organic if you can afford it. Start slowly by adding a few more to your diet, and this way you will make a lasting change.

Most of us cannot fit that much food into our diet each day even if we sat and ate nutritious food all day. Whole food nutrition comes in a convenient capsule - Juice Plus. I recommend this to my clients as a way to get reach the 9-13 suggested daily servings.

For more information go to my website at: http://www.jplusforme.com