The Nordic Rye Research Group has been actively researching the effects
of rye on health since 1994. Vaasan & Vaasan Oy has been a participant in
the group since its beginning. In 1999, the group published a book, Rye:
Nutrition, health, and functionality, covering all the available research
on the health benefits of rye and whole grains.
Research is still continuing intensively, and in the last three years there
have been many new research results, which confirm earlier findings on the
health benefits of rye. Accordingly, the information in the 1999 book has now
been updated and republished in electronic form. The ”net book” Rye and Health
can be found at the address http://rye.vtt.fi, and there are links between the
book and the www.vaasan.com website and vice versa. Both the 1999 book and the
Rye and Health pages are the work of Tarja Kujala, Research and
development manager at Vaasan & Vaasan Oy.
The health benefits of rye are largely due to dietary fibre and the ingredients
contained in it. Many of the health benefits of rye are also shared by other
whole grain products. The latest studies give a new view of rye and grain
products in reducing the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure.
Latest results on health
benefits of grains
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the following health
claim about whole grain products in 1999: “Diets rich in whole grain foods and
other plant foods and low in total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol, may
help reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers. ”This claim can
be used in the United States for marketing of products that contain at least 51
% whole grain ingredients by weight. Many rye breads and all rye crisps satisfy
this condition.
- The risk of heart disease is reduced, because products made with rye and oat
fibre have been proven to lower cholesterol levels.
- Rye fibre and whole grains have a beneficial effect on carbohydrate
metabolism> in the body. Rye reduces the need for insulin produced by
the pancreas after meals, helping to even out blood insulin levels. This reduces
the risk of type II diabetes.
- A diet rich in rye fibre is more slowly evacuated from the stomach. Blood
sugar levels fluctuate less and the feeling of fullness after a meal lasts
longer. This helps weight control.
- Leading European cancer experts have found that a fibre-rich diet containing
grains has a clear connection to helping reduce the risk of colon cancer.
In addition, people whose blood is rich in the lignins found in grain fibre
have been found to be at less risk for both breast and prostate cancer.
The effects of diet on cancer risk are difficult to research, the studies take
years, and many factors are involved. For this reason it is difficult to show a
reduction of cancer risk that is linked to diet, and the research results
sometimes contradict each other.
- Rye products are rich in dietary fibre, which has long been known to help
bowel functions and reduce constipation.
- Rye products contain a great many beneficial ingredients, like
vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and plant estrogen. Many of the beneficial
health effects of whole grains and fibre are due to these ingredients.
Research continues
The worst of the widespread diseases affecting Western people today are obesity
and heart and blood pressure conditions linked to the so-called metabolic
syndrome. Research results are leading to the development of new products as
well as giving consumers information on diets that reduce health risks.
Currently researchers are especially interested in the effects of grain
products on satiety or feelings of fullness. A number of studies are also
proceeding on the relationship of sugar metabolism and grain products.
English-language pages about rye and health can be found at http://rye.vtt.fi. The
pages include a complete directory of research groups doing research on rye in
the Nordic countries.
For further information:
Tarja Kujala, Research and development manager
Vaasan & Vaasan Oy
Nuijalantie 11, FIN-02630 Espoo, Finland
Tel. +358 20446 2327, GSM +358 40 725 6239
Fax +358 20446 2317
tarja.kujala@vaasan.com
www.vaasan.com
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