Whole Grains Perspective: Porridge or Popcorn

Abstract

Terms such as "whole grains," "fiber," and "ultraprocessed food" are too broadly defined to guide specific disease-prevention strategies. More precise classification may be important for meaningful application in disease prevention. We wish to discuss the following 3 underexplored issues regarding whole grain consumption and noncommunicable disease (NCD) prevention: 1) which foods are broadly recognized as "whole grains"; 2) whether the apparent health benefits of whole grains reflect food choice itself or broader lifestyle choices of those who consume them; and 3) whether specific types of whole grains confer distinct physiologic benefits. Of 12 major prospective cohorts (>100,000 participants), 10 assessed whole grain intakes, but only 3 whole grain foods (popcorn, oatmeal, and brown ric