Whole Grains Hinder Heart Failure

tidbits that tantalize

Where's The Milk?

Go ahead - take a guess. What condition most often leads to hospitalization in the United States each year?

-Men completing do-it-yourself home improvement projects on the weekend

-Men foolishly abusing their bodies over a period of several decades

-Men deciding they are now old enough they no longer need to listen to their mother

Yes, it's a tough call. But, the most likely culprit falls squarely in the foolish abuse carried out over decades category.

OK - the actual health condition is heart failure. But, as we all know, the most common cause of heart failure is some form of poor lifestyle choices. Obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and a sedentary lifestyle all contribute to heart disease.

But, researchers now report that a simple bowl of cereal is a powerful weapon in the battle against heart failure. Whole grain cereal, that is.

The benefits of eating whole grain cereals are well known. Consuming whole grains helps lower blood pressure, and reduces the risks of developing diabetes and heart disease. The recent study adds heart failure to the list.

Researchers followed over 21,000 male doctors for a period of nearly 20 years. Those consuming at least one bowl of whole grain cereal each day had a 28% lower risk of developing heart failure. One bowl - whole grains - 28% less risk. Hmm...

The researchers recommend whole grain cereals containing 4 grams of fiber or more per serving.

So there you have it - a simple solution. Come on, men - you can do this...

To read more about the study, see this from Reuters. To read more about whole grains, see this from the Mayo Clinic.