1. © 2003, Wellsource Inc. Whole Grains & Coronary Heart Disease A high intake of whole grains reduced risk of heart attack by 18% A high intake of bran (top 20% of men, 11 g/day) showed a 30% decrease in coronary risk For each 20g increase in whole-grain intake, the risk of coronary heart disease dropped by 6% Coronary heart disease (RR) Amer J Clin Nutrition, Dec. 2004 Whole Grains (g/day) Quintiles n= 42,850 14 years

2. © 2003, Wellsource Inc. Summary of Studies on Whole Grains and Coronary Heart Disease Study Relative Risk Health Professional study 42,850 men, 42 g WG/day 0.82 Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities, 3 serv WG/day 0.71 Nurses Health Study, 80,000 women, 3 serv WG/day 0.75 Norwegian cohort study, high vs low intake WGs 0.76 Iowa Women’s Health Study, high vs low intake WGs 0.82 Average relative risk = 0.77 Amer J Clin Nutrition, Dec. 2004

3. © 2003, Wellsource Inc. How Whole Grains Contribute to Health Grains are a rich source of many nutrients essential for heart health: –Fiber –Key minerals: calcium, magnesium, potassium selenium, manganese, zinc, and iron –Key vitamins: vitamin B (e.g. folate) and E –Phenolic compounds, phytoestrogens –Antioxidants Amer J Clin Nutrition, Dec. 2004

4. © 2003, Wellsource Inc. Continued Whole grains are associated with low risk of obesity Whole grains improve insulin sensitivity and help prevent diabetes Whole grains help reduce blood cholesterol levels Fiber from whole grains is also linked to reduced risk of cancer Amer J Clin Nutrition, Dec. 2004