According to an article recently published in the JAMA, higher intake of whole grains is associated with reduced overall mortality and especially cardiovascular mortality. The study looked at both men and women over twenty five years. Participants were free of cancer and cardiovascular disease at baseline; they completed dietary questionnaires every 2 to 4 years.

After adjustment for confounders (e.g., age, smoking, BMI), higher whole grain intake was associated with lower total mortality. In particular, cardiovascular mortality was reduced — especially with high intake of brans. Whole grain intake did not reduce cancer mortality.