Scientific Studies
JAMA Women's
Study on Reduced Risk of Heart Disease Shows
Increased Benefits From Oatmeal
A report in the Journal of the American Medical
Association (JAMA) reinforces the fact that women can
reduce the risk of heart disease by eating soluble
fiber from cereals such as oatmeal.
"The Nurses' Health Study reported in JAMA is
very important because it provides women with
effective and practical information on how to reduce
the risk for heart disease, which is the leading
cause of death for women in this country," said
Dr. Steve Ink, director of Nutrition Services, The
Quaker Oats Company. "The early results from
these ongoing studies indicate that certain soluble
fiber containing grains -- like oats -- may work to
lower risk for heart disease in several important
ways."
Cereal fibers, particularly soluble fiber from
oatmeal, may protect women against the risk of heart
disease. Daily consumption (5 or more servings per
week) of cold breakfast cereals reduced the risk for
heart disease in women by 19 percent, while oatmeal
consumption reduced the risk for heart disease by 29
percent. In effect, oats are 50 percent more
effective than other fiber-containing breakfast
cereals. In 1997, oatmeal was the first product
approved by the Food and Drug Administration to
communicate a food-specific health claim. The claim,
which appears on Quaker Oats packaging, reads
"Soluble fiber from oatmeal in a diet low in
saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of
heart disease."
The study reports that risk reduction due to soluble
fiber from cereals such as oatmeal and oat bran is
only part of their well-documented
cholesterol-reducing properties. Dr. Ink said other
possible contributing benefits of oatmeal consumption
include blood pressure control, artery health,
insulin control and weight loss. These benefits may
come from several nutrients in oats, including
soluble fiber and natural antioxidants. "It's
important to note that the reduction of heart disease
risk for women in the study did not come from fiber
in vegetables and fruit."
Copies of the study are available at http://www.ama-assn.org.
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