Evaluation of the effect of wheat aleurone-rich foods on markers of antioxidant status, inflammation and endothelial function in apparently healthy men and women.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effects of a wheat aleurone-rich diet on plasma antioxidant status, markers of inflammation, and endothelial function in healthy, older, overweight individuals.
Results Summary
Consumption of aleurone-rich products provided substantial micronutrients and phytochemicals with potential antioxidant effects and significantly reduced plasma C-reactive protein levels, a marker of inflammation. However, no changes were observed in other inflammatory markers, antioxidant status, or endothelial function.
Population
Healthy, older, overweight participants (45-65 years, BMI >25 kg/m²).
Effective Dosage
27 g aleurone per day.
Duration
4 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
consumption of whole-grain foods | decrease | inflammation and related diseases | - | - | inverse association | #1 |
diet high in wheat aleurone | neutral | plasma antioxidants status, markers of inflammation and endothelial function | seventy-nine healthy, older, overweight participants (45-65 years, BMI>25 kg/m²) | - | evaluated the effects | #2 |
aleurone-rich cereal products (27 g aleurone/d) | increase | micronutrients and phytochemicals which may function as antioxidants | seventy-nine healthy, older, overweight participants (45-65 years, BMI>25 kg/m²) | - | provided substantial amounts | #3 |
aleurone-rich products | decrease | inflammatory marker, C-reactive protein | seventy-nine healthy, older, overweight participants (45-65 years, BMI>25 kg/m²) | P = 0·035 | resulted in significantly lower plasma concentrations | #4 |
aleurone-rich products | no change | other markers of inflammation, antioxidant status or endothelial function | seventy-nine healthy, older, overweight participants (45-65 years, BMI>25 kg/m²) | - | no changes were observed | #5 |
Observational data show an inverse association between the consumption of whole-grain foods, and inflammation and related diseases. Although the underlying mechanisms are unclear, whole grains, and in particular the aleurone layer, contain a wide range of components with putative antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. We evaluated the effects of a diet high in wheat aleurone on plasma antioxidants status, markers of inflammation and endothelial function. In this parallel, participant-blinded intervention, seventy-nine healthy, older, overweight participants (45-65 years, BMI>25 kg/m²) incorporated either aleurone-rich cereal products (27 g aleurone/d), or control products balanced for fibre and macronutrients, into their habitual diets for 4 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and on day 29. Results showed that, compared to control, consumption of aleurone-rich products provided substantial amounts of micronutrients and phytochemicals which may function as antioxidants. Additionally, incorporating these products into a habitual diet resulted in significantly lower plasma concentrations of the inflammatory marker, C-reactive protein (P = 0·035), which is an independent risk factor for CVD. However, no changes were observed in other markers of inflammation, antioxidant status or endothelial function. These results provide a possible mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of longer-term whole-grain intake. However, it is unclear whether this effect is owing to a specific component, or a combination of components in wheat aleurone.