whole grains — those 60 and over — only about 20% of grains eaten are whole grain.”
Dietary experts have long recommended that Americans make the switch from processed, refined grains — the type found in many white breads, pastas and bakery fare — to high-fiber whole grains.
“Whole grains contain greater amounts of fiber, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals compared with refined grains,” Ahluwalia and her team noted. Because of this, “a higher intake of whole grains is linked with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and mortality,” they explained.
The new data was taken from federal health surveys conducted between 2003 and 2016 among of Americans aged 20 and older. It found that when it comes to a preference for whole grains, age, gender and income matter.
Women were more likely than men to go for whole grains, at 16.7% and 14.8% of total daily grain intake, respectively. And intake rates rose from 12.9% among people in
