Whole grain cereals: functional components and health benefits

BORNEO RAFAEL; LEON, A.E.

Food & Function

RSC Publishing

Año: 2012 vol. 3 p. 110 - 119

2042-6496

We are at an unprecedent era of scientific knowledge regarding nutrition, diet, and the effect of specific components on human health. We have the information needed to select an appropriate diet that includes all the important nutritional factors. However, at the same time, we assist to a time of increased global obesity with significant increase of cardiovascular (coronary heart disease, hypertension, strokes) and metabolic (type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance) diseases. The general consensus among heath-care professionals and nutritionists is that we need to select high-fiber diets rich in grains, fruits, and vegetables. Also, we need to regulate the type of fat to be consumed (less saturated fat more polyunsaturated) and increase the energy expenditure through moderate cardiovascular exercise.