Carbohydrates and Health

8.150 Due to variation between the different methodologies used to measure fasting
insulin concentration, it was not possible to conduct a meta-analysis. All of the
trials identified in the systematic review and the update search report no significant
effect of whole grains consumption on insulin sensitivity.
Whole grains and insulin sensitivity
• No effect
• Adequate evidence
Colo-rectal cancer
8.151 Three cohort studies were identified that presented evidence on whole grains
intake and colo-rectal cancer incidence, all of which were included in a metaanalysis
(Pietinen et al., 1999; Larsson et al., 2005; Schatzkin et al., 2007). No further
studies were identified in the update search (Colo-rectal health review).
8.152 A non-significant borderline association is indicated between higher whole grains
consumption and reduced incidence of colo-rectal cancer (RR 0.97, CI 0.94, 1.00
for each 0.5 serving/day increase; p=0.077).
Whole grains (serving/day) and colo-rectal cancer
• No association
• Limited evidence
Colon cancer
8.153 Three cohort studies were identified that presented evidence on whole grains
intake and colon cancer incidence, all of which were included in a meta-analysis
(McCullough et al., 2003; Larsson et al., 2005; Schatzkin et al., 2007). No further
studies were identified in the update search (Colo-rectal health review).
8.154 An association is indicated between higher whole grains consumption and reduced
incidence of colon cancer (RR 0.97, CI 0.95, 0.99 for each 0.5 serving/day increase;
p=0.015).
Whole grains (serving/day) and colon cancer
• Association
• Limited evidence
• The direction of the association indicates higher whole grains consumption is
beneficial to health
• The association is biologically relevant
Children and adolescents
8.155 Three cohort studies were conducted in children and adolescents aged five years
or more.
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