Wholegrains could help you live longer
You’ve most likely heard all the fuss surrounding carbohydrates, primarily grains. Low carb high fat (LCHF) and paleo centred diets, which limit or exclude grains, are constantly in the spotlight at the moment, promising everything from weight loss to long-term longevity. But do you really need to give up your salad sandwich at lunchtime? A new study carried out by the Harvard University School Of Public Health has found that eating wholegrains can actually improve your health and may even help you live longer.
Here’s why including wholegrains as part of a healthy diet can improve your wellbeing and perhaps even help add on a few years.
1. Wholegrains contain bran, which is the fibrous outer layer of the grain. The study found that a diet rich in bran had the potential to reduce overall death by 6 per cent and also reduce the risk of developing heart disease, a leading cause of death here in Australia.
2. Wholegrains are just that, “whole”. They don’t have the nutrients stripped away like refined grains do. Analysis has found that swapping whole grains for red meat had a protective effect for the body. Reducing mortality by 20 per cent.
3. Our brain relies on carbs. Carbs are broken down by the body into glucose, which is what we use for energy. If our body and brain isn’t getting enough glucose, we can’t function to the best of our ability. While this may not impact how long we live, it can certainly impact our quality of life!
4. Carbs help us feel good. Carbs are essential to the body’s production of serotonin or the “feel good” chemical. If we don’t produce enough serotonin, we feel miserable. Very low carb dieters often report feeling irritable, flat and frustrated on a regular basis. While these symptoms won’t directly cause mental health issues like depression, they can contribute. Staying well mentally is just as important as staying well physically, especially as we get older.