London - Starting the day with a bowl of healthy cereal could help you live longer, scientists claim.
Research showed that a diet which is high in whole grains and cereal fibres – not usually the favourite breakfasts among children – reduces the risk of premature death from chronic diseases including cancer, heart disease, respiratory disease and diabetes by up to 19 per cent.
The US study by The Harvard School of Public Health found that even when taking into account factors such as health, physical activity and obesity the reduction remained the same.
Associate professor of nutrition Dr Lu Qi said: ‘Our study indicates that intake of whole grains and cereal fibre may reduce the risk of mortality and death from chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory disease.
‘Our findings should motivate future studies, especially clinical trials, to further testify the beneficial effects of whole grains.’
Whole grains, such as those found in wheat, oats and quinoa, are rich sources of dietary fibre and other nutrients such as minerals and antioxidants.
The findings of the study, published in the journal BMC Medicine, suggest the fibre may have positive effects thanks to multiple protective elements such as anti-inflammatory properties.
Daily Mail