Should we eat more whole cereals?

Whole grains are sources of dietary fibre but also of vitamins, minerals and antioxidant compounds. Their consumption is associated to health benefits. They decrease type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and colorectal cancer. ANSES recommends an increase in the consumption of whole cereals which is very low in France; other countries have a recommendation such as 90 g or three servings of whole grains per day. At the same time, ANSES recommends a dietary fibre intake of 30 g per day that cannot be achieved without the consumption of whole grain products. Depending on how they are grown, it can be assumed that whole grains contain more contaminants (including pesticides and mycotoxins) than refined cereal products. The presence of these contaminants is strictly controlled and the levels reached in the foods analyzed do not exceed the Toxicological Reference Values for a vast majority of consumers. Most epidemiological studies demonstrate a positive benefit/risk ratio that confirms the value of consuming whole grains for health. (c) 2017 Societe francaise de nutrition. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.