Whole Grains and Wholemeal can protect against Stroke

Eating wholegrain, wholemeal and other high fibre foods such as vegetables and fruits can significantly lower your risk of developing heart disease and stroke. The beneficial effects on heart health have even been compared with taking statin drugs.

There has previously been more evidence for the benefits of dietary fibre relative to heart disease than stroke, but a new study from Sweden has firmly established that people who eat high fibre wholegrains regularly, have been shown to have lower risks of stroke, coronary heart disease, diabetes and some cancers, and also to have better weight control.

A separate study published in the American Heart Journal found that women with a history of heart disease who reported having eaten six or more servings of wholegrains per week were shown to have slower progression of atherosclerosis, a condition where built-up plaque narrows the arteries which direct blood to the heart.

Fibre has been shown to be beneficial as it can reduce LDL (bad) cholestereol levels in the blood stream, that can otherwise accumulate within the arteries. This blocks the flow of blood through the arteries and can affect the blood supply to the brain triggering a brain stroke.

The Swedish research used a large group of 26,000 male volunteers in the 50 – 70 years old age group, who were also smokers (which put them into a high risk category for developing a stroke), and lasted for 13 years. During this period, there were 3,000 reported incidences of stroke suffered by the study group, but the amazing fact emerged that the risk of stroke was nearly 20% lower amongst those in the group who had the most amount of dietary fibre in their diet.

Other research has indicated even greater benefits to those who eat four high fibre or wholegrain servings a day, as there are many other nutrients in whole grains – protein, vitamins and minerals  – that can give up to 40 per cent lower risk of stroke and heart disease compared with those who rarely eat wholegrain foods.

Many people will be surprised to discover that there is so much easy protection against the western world’s large killer available so easily, merely by altering their diet.

Wholegrains can be found in breakfast cereals made with wholegrains, oatmeal, brown rice, barley, popcorn, wholemeal bread and cereal, bran muffins and wholemeal flour.