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The links between wholegrains and heart health are well known. Now, a new Danish study shows that eating wholegrains may lead to body fat loss.

 

Seventy-five post-menopausal overweight/obese women were randomised to eat a calorie-controlled diet which contained either refined wheat or wholegrain wheat. Weight, body composition, blood pressure and blood lipid levels were measured at baseline, and after 6 and 12 weeks of intervention.

 

Body weight (3.6 kg loss) and body fat (3% loss) were both significantly lower after the wholegrain wheat diet. Blood lipid levels (total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) did not change in the wholegrain group but increased by 5% after the diet rich in refined wheat was consumed.

 

These findings indicate that there may be benefits in swapping refined wheat products for wholegrain wheat products. Further studies are now needed to confirm these findings.

 

For more information see: Kristensen M et al. (2012) Journal of Nutrition [Epub ahead of print].