New Harvard research has found that a diet that includes regular consumption of breakfast cereal is associated with living longer, healthier lives.¹

The research examined the diets of 367,442 individuals which were followed up after 14 years, as part of a prospective National Institute of Health (AARP) Diet and Health Study.

According to the researchers, this is the first time that consumption of ready-to-eat breakfast cereals has been significantly associated with a lower risk of total mortality and deaths from cardiovascular disease, cancer and other chronic diseases compared to those who didn’t eat cereal. Importantly, the research accounted for other dietary, lifestyle and social economic factors, too.

The data showed people with the highest intake of ready-to-eat breakfast cereals (22.5g/day, equivalent to four 40g serves a week) had the greatest risk reductions – 15 percent for all-cause mortality, 24 percent for cardiovascular disease, 13 percent for digestive cancer mortality and 10 percent for all cancers – compared to people who did not eat ready-to-eat breakfast cereals.

The researchers also found that among ready-to-eat breakfast cereal eaters, higher fibre intakes appear to offer even more protective benefits.

Dr Gina Levy, senior nutrition manager at Kellogg Australia, said, “These findings offer strong encouragement for the positive benefits of breakfast cereals as part of a healthy, balanced diet. For cereal lovers, that’s great news because it adds to the science showing that breakfast cereal eaters are slimmer and are also more likely to meet their nutrient and fibre requirements.”  

“Data from the Australian Health Survey tells us that ready to eat breakfast cereals provide 9 percent of our national fibre intake and that goes up to 11 percent for the total category. A bowl of Kellogg's All-Bran, for example, provides up to 44 percent of our daily fibre needs.”

Dr Levy adds, “Breakfast cereal is an easy and cost effective way to enjoy a balanced breakfast in the morning. A balanced breakfast of one grain serve, one dairy serve and one fruit or protein serve provides energy and essential nutrients to start the day right. And for all the foodies out there, top that off with nuts and seeds for a nutrient boost.”

The authors of the new Harvard research study concluded that their findings lend support to the recommendation to increase consumption of ready-to-eat breakfast cereals, especially varieties high in cereal fibre, to optimise health and prevent chronic disease.

References:

1.Min Xu MD, PhD, Tao Huang PhD, Albert W. Lee PhD, Lu Qi MD, PhD & Susan Cho PhD (2015): Ready-to-Eat Cereal Consumption with Total and Cause-Specific Mortality: Prospective Analysis of 367,442 Individuals, Journal of the American College of Nutrition, DOI: 10.1080/07315724.2014.971193