Committed to better understanding the role of grain foods in healthy lifestyles
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About Grain Foods Research Institute
The Grain Foods Research Institute is a nonprofit organization committed to supporting nutrition research to better understand the role of grain foods in healthy lifestyles.
Research Grant Program
GRFI actively seeks innovative nutrition research projects to support through grant funding in alignment with our mission of better understanding grain foods in healthy lifestyles. The Institute issues regular Requests for Application (RFA) which are thoroughly vetted by third-party scientist reviewers and experts to ensure the highest quality research is support.
Recent Research
New Study Finds No Relationship Between High Intake of Refined Grain Foods and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
A new study recently published Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine reveals that consuming high intakes of refined grain foods does not increase one’s risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), coronary heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, or stroke. The study also calls for reflection on the Western dietary pattern and its consideration in future dietary recommendations. Although refined grains are included as a component of the Western dietary pattern, the results of the meta-analyses suggest that refined grains do not contribute to the higher CVD risk associated with this unhealthy dietary pattern.
Refined Grain Intake and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
A commentary just published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings presents data suggests that, with few exceptions, the consumption of refined grains is not associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D).
Written by Glenn Gaesser, Ph.D., the commentary includes data from all published observational cohort studies that looked at the associations between refined grain intake and risk of T2D. Based on findings from 11 different populations of adults, totaling nearly 400,000 men and women, results revealed no relation between consumption of refined grains and risk of T2D.
Watch Dr. Gaesser’s commentary insights or read the full release here.
