High intake of refined grains does not increase risk of cardiovascular disease, study reveals

Reviewed by Emily Henderson, B.Sc.Oct 18 2022

A new study recently published Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine reveals that consuming high intakes of refined grain foods does not increase one's risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), coronary heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, or stroke. The study also calls for reflection on the Western dietary pattern and its consideration in future dietary recommendations. Although refined grains are included as a component of the Western dietary pattern, the results of the meta-analyses suggest that refined grains do not contribute to the higher CVD risk associated with this unhealthy dietary pattern.

The study demonstrated the lack of association between refined grain intake and CVD risk in meta-analyses of 17 prospective studies (including 877,462 participants) that restricted analyses to only staple grain foods (e.g., bread, cereal, pasta, white rice), as well as for meta-analyses of studies that included both staple and indulgent grain foods (e.g., cakes, cookies, doughnuts, brownies, muffins, pastries).

These new results call into question the widely held view that refined grain foods are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Refined grains are typically included in the Western dietary pattern that also includes red and processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages, French fries, and high fat dairy products. Research shows that it these foods, especially red and processed meat, and sugar-sweetened beverages, that are the real culprits in this dietary pattern. Meta-analyses in the new study indicate that the higher CVD risk associated with this dietary pattern is not from refined grain foods."

Dr. Glenn Gaesser, Professor, College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University and Study Author

Refined grains are grains that have been milled, a process that removes the bran and germ to extend the grain's shelf life. This process removes some of the original fiber and B vitamins from the food, but they are often enriched with additional B vitamins and iron.

This study follows a recent commentary from Gaesser published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings that examined data from existing published studies to reveal no link between type 2 diabetes and consumption of refined grains.

"It is my hope that these new results will be considered in the formulation of future dietary guidelines for Americans," added Gaesser. "I think it's important that the nutrition community acknowledges these results, and while still promoting, rightfully so, increased consumption of whole grain foods, it doesn't have to come at the expense of refined grain foods. Refined grain foods can fit in a healthy diet."