A new study shows that cereal fiber can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke in older people.

Researchers in the US have contributed a new finding to the evidence on diet and cardiovascular disease. Since 1989, they have followed up a group of 3588 men and women of average age 72 years to see the impact of dietary fiber on the cardiovascular health of older people.

They logged fiber input from fruit, vegetables and cereals from the participants who were free of known cardiovascular disease at the beginning. Over the time of the study, there were 811 new cardiovascular 'events' - heart attack or stroke, for example. Those eating the highest amounts of cereal fiber were 21 per cent less likely to have one of these 'events' than those eating the least.

But there was no impact of either fruit or vegetable fiber intake upon cardiovascular disease. Further analysis found that dark breads - like whole-wheat, rye and pumpernickel - to have more benefit to cardiovascular health than other cereal fiber sources.

Source

Journal of the American Medical Association 2nd April 2003