Does Eating Bran and Oatmeal Combat Inflammation?

Chronic inflammation is believed by some to underlie or promote several diseases. However, whole-grain foods contain compounds that might reduce the risk for inflammatory conditions by supporting antioxidant defense mechanisms. Researchers have previously shown increased whole-grain intake to be associated with reduced risk for cardiovascular disease and cancer. Might consumption of whole grains also reduce risk for other inflammation-related diseases, such as ulcerative colitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and diabetes, and for death from these diseases?

To find out, researchers studied 17 years of follow-up data for more than 27,000 postmenopausal women who answered dietary questionnaires in 1986 as part of the Iowa Women’s Heal…