[NUTRACEUTICALS]

by Linda Milo Ohr

Good-for-You Grains
hole grain consumption is on the rise. According to information from the Whole Grains Council, Boston, Mass. (phone 617-421-5500, www.wholegrainscouncil.org), new product launches of foods making a whole grain claim have grown sharply since 2000. In 2007, nearly 15 times as many new whole-grain products were introduced worldwide as in the year 2000, reports the Mintel Global New Products Database. In addition, by tracking restaurant menus across the country, Mintel Menu Insights identified the top eight restaurant trends for 2008, with Grain Goodness as No. 4. This rising interest is due, in part, to increased consumer awareness of whole-grain health benefits. According to the International Food Information Councils 2007 Consumer Attitudes Toward Functional Foods/Foods for Health, consumers named whole grains and fiber as two of the top six foods or components that they were aware of with health benefits. The benefits they associated with whole grains related to cardiovascular and intestinal health. According to the Whole Grains Council, the benefits of whole grains most documented by

Whole grains such as amaranth and teff have higher levels of calcium than other grains.
Photo courtesy of ConAgra Mills

dietary fiber, vitamin E, magnesium, sterols, lignans, polyphenolics, and carotenoids. Specific whole grains, from the mainstream to the niche, vary in nutritional profile and offer

Specific whole grains, from the mainstream to the niche, vary in nutritional profile and offer particular benefits.
repeated studies include stroke risk reduced by 3036%, type 2 diabetes risk reduced by 2130%, heart disease risk reduced by 2528%, and better weight maintenance. Nettleton et al. (2008) showed that whole-grain consumption lowered heart failure risk in an observational cohort study of 14,153 African-American and white adults. Katcher et al. (2008) showed a significantly greater decrease in C-reactive protein (CRP) and percentage body fat in the abdominal region in obese adults consuming whole grains than in those consuming refined grains. CRP is an inflammatory marker for cardiovascular disease. Whole grains contain many components that contribute to their nutritional benefits: particular benefits. Here is a look at a few of those grains and the benefits that they provide.

Amaranth
This grain boasts a higher level of protein (16%) than others. It also has no gluten. It is gaining in popularity, appearing in more commercial products such as World of Grains cookies from Mars Health and Nutrition, Hackettstown, N.J. (phone 800-207-4548, www.mars.com). The cookies are a blend of eight whole grains: amaranth, brown rice, buckwheat, millet, oats, quinoa, rye, and wheat. Available in Oatmeal Raisin, Cranberry, Blueberry, and Multigrain flavors, a single serving offers 15 g of whole grains.
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Rye is a good source of fiber with exceptionally high water-binding capacity, quickly giving a feeling of fullness.
Photo courtesy of Eden Foods Inc.

Amaranth is also a part of Ancient Grains, a product line of intact kernels, individual whole grain flours, and flour blends from ConAgra Mills, Omaha, Neb. (phone 800-851-9618, www.conagramills. com). The line includes amaranth, quinoa, millet, sorghum, and teff. These grains were chosen for their exotic appeal, as well as for their functionality, appearance, flavor, and nutrition, says Elizabeth Arndt, Director of Research & Development, ConAgra Mills. Compared to wheat, the Ancient Grains also tend to be higher in lipid and mineral content, particularly amaranth, millet, and quinoa.

Arndt explains that like other grains, Ancient Grains provide protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, along with higher protein levels in amaranth and increased calcium levels in amaranth and teff. Each flour has a unique flavor, from the slightly sweet grain flavor of teff to the lightly nutty, earthy profile of quinoa. The individual flours and blends make it possible to add these grains to almost any application where flour would be used. She notes that there is also increasing interest in using the Ancient Grain flours and five-grain blend in gluten-free product applications.

Barley
Barleys fiber content contributes to its cholesterol-lowering properties. In 2005, the Food and Drug Administration authorized

Seeds of Change
Chia seeds. These are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids (alpha-linolenic acid), antioxidants, and fiber. Their omega-3 fatty acid stability is a result of the natural antioxidants content, according to information from Chia Farms, Sonoita, Ariz. (phone 520-455-5151, www.eatchia.com). When added to animal diets, chia seed supplementation resulted in a dramatic reduction (up 30.6%) in the saturated fatty acid content of the products produced. Ayerza and Coates (2007) showed that chia seed diets improved the omega-6:omega-3 fatty acid ratio in male Wistar rats. According to Proprietary Nutritionals Inc., a distributor for Chile-based Functional Products Trading S.A., Kearny, N.J. (phone 519-647-2071, www.benexia.com), chia seeds contain 20% protein, including all essential amino acids. Information on the companys Web site discusses chia seeds potential role in improving long-term cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetes, improving insulin sensitivity, lowering the levels of triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and increasing the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The company offers Benexia chia seed, ground chia seed, chia oil, and chia bran. Hemp Seeds. Market research obtained by the Hemp Industries Association, San Francisco, Calif. (phone 707874-3648, www.thehia.org), shows that hemp food sales grew by at least $3.4 million to a total of $9.7 million from December 2006 to December 2007. The sales data, collected by the market research firm Spins, was obtained from natural food retailers only, excluding Whole Foods Market and mass-market food and pharmacy stores and thus under-represents actual sales by a factor of two to three. HIA estimates that the total value of annual sales of hemp foods in the United States is in the range of $2030 million.
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Hemp contains all 20 known essential amino acids, according to information from Bobs Red Mill Natural Foods, Milwaukie, Ore. (phone 800-349-2173, www. bobsredmill.com). The company recently launched Hemp Protein Powder and Hulled Hemp Seed. The protein powder is high in protein (43%) and fiber. Hulled Hemp Seed is high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and is an excellent source of protein. Flaxseed. This grain boasts a high alpha-linolenic acid content, about 1.8 g of ALA/tbsp of flaxseed. It is loaded with dietary fiber, with a range of soluble (2040%) and insoluble (6080%) fiber, according to AmeriFlax, Bismarck, N.D. (phone 701-663-9799, www.ameriflax. com). The fiber portion of flaxseed contains high levels of lignans, which have been associated with a reduction in hormone-dependant cancers, such as colon, breast, and prostate cancer. For example, a study funded by the National Institutes of Health showed a 3040% slower cancer cell growth rate in prostate cancer patients taking 30 g of ground flaxseed/day for 30 days (AmeriFlax, 2007). Sunflower Seeds. These seeds are packed with healthy fats, protein, fiber, minerals, vitamin E, and phytochemicals. Sunflower seeds are the best whole-food source of vitamin E, according to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Nutrient Database. One ounce of oil-roasted sunflower seeds provides 76% of the RDA for vitamin E, according to the National Sunflower Association, Bismarck, N.D. (phone 701-328-5100, www.sunflowernsa.com). In addition, Phillips et al. (2005) indicated that of the nuts and seeds typically consumed as snack foods, pistachios and sunflower kernels had the highest level of phytosterols at 270289 mg/100 g).

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the use of a health claim for the role of beta-glucan soluble fiber from barley in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease. To qualify for the health claim, a food made from sources such as whole-grain barley, barley bran, or barley flakes, must contain at least 0.75 g of barley betaglucan soluble fiber/serving. Barleys heart-health benefits are featured in Heart Balance Cereal, a 100% whole grain golden barley flake cereal from BGLife Barley, Butte, Mont. (phone 406-782-2618, www.heartbalancecereal.com). One serving provides nearly 85% of the Recommended Daily Allowance for whole grains and 3 g of beta-glucan soluble fiber. Council, recent research reports indicate that oats also have a unique antioxidant, avenanthramides, that helps protect blood vessels from the damaging effects of LDL cholesterol. In addition, Andon and Anderson (2008) discussed how oats may also help control the risk of diabetes, weight gain, and high blood pressure.

Quinoa
Commercially, quinoa is now appearing in cereal flakes and other processed foods. It is a small, light-colored round grain, similar in appearance to sesame seeds. Quinoa is a complete protein, containing all the essential amino acids. Sunrise Blend with Quinoa Flakes from Indian Harvest Specialtifoods Inc., Bemidji, Minn. (phone 800-346-7032, www.indianharvest.com), was launched in September 2008. The breakfast blend offers a high-protein feast of Kamut bulgur wheat, buckwheat groats, Colusari red rice, whole-grain quinoa flakes, and brown flaxseed.

Brown Rice
In May 2008, FDA extended the existing whole-grain health claim to include brown rice. The claim states, Diets rich in whole grains and other plant foods and low in total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol, may help reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers. Brown rice is used in novel products, from Uncle Bens Boil-In-Bag Whole Grain Brown Rice produced by Mars North America, Rancho Dominguez, Calif. (phone 800-548-6253, www.unclebens.com), to Froose produced by Froose Brands, Media, Pa. (phone 888338-4631, www.froose.com). The rice is the first Uncle Bens boil-in-bag product to be made with whole grains. Froose is a drinkable whole-grain beverage made with organic brown rice. Each 4 oz juice box contains 4 g of whole grain, and 3 g of fiber.

Rye
Rye is unusual among grains for the high level of fiber in its endosperm, not just in its bran, says the Whole Grains Council. Because of this, rye products generally have a lower glycemic index than products made from wheat and most other grains, making them especially healthy for diabetics. Last year, Eden Foods Inc., Clinton, Mich.. (phone 888-424-3336, www.edenfoods. com), introduced a line of roasted and rolled small farm organically grown whole grains, Eden Organic Flakes, which include organic rye, spelt, oats, brown rice, and Kamut. Each is 100% whole grain and cooks in 3 minutes.

Oats
Oats are a mainstream whole grain whose heart health benefits are widely accepted, thanks to oat beta-glucan. According to the Whole Grains
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Teff
It is estimated that teff is the principal source of nutrition for more than two-thirds of Ethiopians, who make it into the ubiquitous spongy injera flatbread, according to the Whole Grains Council. Today, it is getting more attention for its sweet, molasses-like flavor and its versatility. Teff has more than twice the iron of other grains and three times the calcium.

Wheat
Costabile et al. (2008) looked at the effects of whole-grain wheat on the human intestinal microbiota compared with wheat bran. In the double-blind, randomized, crossover study, the researchers gave 48 g of breakfast cereals/ day to 31 subjects in two 3-week study periods, separated by a 2-week washout period. The cereals were either whole-grain wheat or wheat bran. They reported that daily consumption of whole-grain wheat exerted a pronounced prebiotic effect on the human gut microbiota composition, which may contribute toward the beneficial physiological effects of whole-grain wheat. FT
Linda Milo Ohr, Contributing Editor, Denver, Colo. linda.ohr@gmail.com

REFERENCES
AmeriFlax. 2007. New NIH study confirmsflaxseed stunts prostate cancer growth. Press release, AmeriFlax, Bismarck, N.D., July 29. Andon, M.B. and Anderson, J.W. 2008. State of the art reviews: The oatmeal-cholesterol connection: 10 years later. Am. J. Lifestyle Med. 2: 51-57. Ayerza, R. and Coates, W. 2007. Lowering triglyceride and increasing HDL-cholesterol levels in rat serum when feeding alpha-linolenic fatty acid derived from chia seeds. Presented at the XII World Congress on Clinical Nutrition. June 18. Edmonton, Canada. Costabile, A., Klinder, A., Fava, F., Napolitano, A., Fogliano, V., Leonard, C., Gibson, G.R., and Tuohy, K.M. 2008. Whole-grain wheat breakfast cereal has a prebiotic effect on the human gut microbiota: a double-blind, placebocontrolled, crossover study. Br. J. Nutr. 99: 110-120. Katcher, H.I., Legro, R.S., Kunselman, A.R., Gillies, P.J., Demers, L.M., Bagshaw, D.M., and Kris-Etherton, P.M. 2008. The effects of a whole grainenriched hypocaloric diet on cardiovascular disease risk factors in men and women with metabolic syndrome. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 87: 79-90. Nettleton, J.A., Steffen, L.M., Loehr, L.R., Rosamond, W.D., and Folsom, A.R. 2008. Incident heart failure is associated with lower whole-grain intake and greater high-fat dairy and egg intake in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. J. Am. Diet. Assoc. 108: 1881-1887. Phillips, K.M., Ruggio, D.M., and Ashraf-Khorassani, M. 2005. Phytosterol composition of nuts and seeds commonly consumed in the United States. J. Agric. Food Chem. 53: 94369445.
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