Men who consume more whole-grain breakfast cereals have a lower risk of heart failure, the leading cause of hospitalization among older Americans. One out of five 40-year-olds will be diagnosed with heart failure in his or her lifetime. Researchers tracked more than 21,000 participants in the Physicians' Health Study for an average of 20 years. Those who ate whole-grain cereal at least seven times a week had a 28% lower risk of heart failure than those who ate whole-grain cereal less than once a week. Those who ate whole-grain cereal two to six times a week had a 22% lower risk. Refined grains weren't linked to heart failure.
What to do: Eat whole, not refined. grains. Earlier studies found a lower risk of heart attacks and high blood pressure in whole-grain eaters.
It's not clear whether the potassium, antioxidants, phytoestrogens, fiber, or other constituents of whole grains may protect the heart.
From personal experience I want to tell you, it's easy to have a bowl of delicious whole grain cereal. I serve it with fruit and skim milk. It's a great way to start your day and apparently you'll be doing your body a lot of good at the same time.
