The Impact of Cereal Grain Composition on the Health and Disease Outcomes

Mattia Garutti; Gerardo Nevola; Roberta Mazzeo; Linda Cucciniello; Fabiana Totaro; Carlos Alejandro Bertuzzi; Riccardo Caccialanza; Paolo Pedrazzoli; Fabio Puglisi

doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.888974

The Impact of Cereal Grain Composition on the Health and Disease Outcomes

Front Nutr. 2022 May 25:9:888974. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.888974. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Mattia Garutti¹, Gerardo Nevola², Roberta Mazzeo^{1

3}, Linda Cucciniello^{1

3}, Fabiana Totaro^{1

3}, Carlos Alejandro Bertuzzi², Riccardo Caccialanza^{4

5}, Paolo Pedrazzoli^{5

6}, Fabio Puglisi^{1

3}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medical Oncology - CRO Aviano, National Cancer Institute, IRCCS, Aviano, Italy.
² Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care - CRO Aviano, National Cancer Institute, IRCCS, Aviano, Italy.
³ Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy.
⁴ Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
⁵ Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapy, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
⁶ Medical Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.

Abstract

Whole grains are a pivotal food category for the human diet and represent an invaluable source of carbohydrates, proteins, fibers, phytocompunds, minerals, and vitamins. Many studies have shown that the consumption of whole grains is linked to a reduced risk of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases. However, several of their positive health effects seem to disappear when grains are consumed in the refined form. Herein we review the available literature on whole grains with a focus on molecular composition and health benefits on many chronic diseases with the aim to offer an updated and pragmatic reference for physicians and nutrition professionals.

Keywords: cancer; cardiovascular diseases; cereals; fibers; grains.

Publication types

Review