Whole grain foods not always healthy: study

Foods identified as 'whole grain' are not always as healthy as they are claimed because their current standards are inconsistent and in some cases are misleading, a new study has claimed.

According to Harvard School of Public Health researchers, one of the most widely used industry standards, the Whole Grain Stamp, actually identified grain products that were higher in both sugars and calories than products without the Stamp.

Pressing for the new standards which are needed to help consumers, the researchers have called for adoption of a consistent, evidence-based standard for labeling whole grain foods.

"Given the significant prevalence of refined grains, starches, and sugars in modern diets, identifying a unified criterion to identify higher quality carbohydrates is a key priority in public health," said first author Rebecca Mozaffarian, project manager in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at HSPH.

The health benefits of switching from refined to whole grain foods are well established, including lower risk of cardiovascular disease, weight gain, and type 2 diabetes.

From two major US grocers, the researchers identified a total of 545 grain products in eight categories: breads, bagels, English muffins, cereals, crackers, cereal bars, granola bars, and chips.

They collected nutrition content, ingredient lists, and the presence or absence of the Whole Grain Stamp on product packages from all of these products.

Surprisingly, they found grain products with the Whole Grain Stamp, one of the most widely-used front-of-package symbols, were higher in fiber and lower in trans fats, but also contained significantly more sugar and calories compared to products without the Stamp.

"Our results will help inform national discussions about product labeling, school lunch programs, and guidance for consumers and organisations in their attempts to select whole grain products," said senior author Steven Gortmaker, professor of the practice of health sociology in a statement.

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