Health Studies

Brown rice, which contains all of its healthy bran and germ, has more than twice as much fiber, potassium, vitamin B6, and magnesium as refined white rice, as well as more of many other essential nutrients. However, white rice is still more common in many places around the world. Nutrition researchers surveyed 82 adults in Chennai, India to learn about their attitudes and preferences towards different types of rice, and also conducted taste tests. “Cooking quality and appearance of the grains” were the most important factors shoppers considered when choosing rice. While most strongly preferred white rice, 93% of participants were willing to substitute brown rice, if affordable, after the taste tests and learning about the health benefits. The researchers conclude that “education regarding health benefits may help this population switch to brown” rice.
Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2013 Feb;32(1):50-7. (Sudha V et al.) 

At the Medical University of Warsaw, researchers participating in an international project investigating early-life factors that may prevent celiac disease in genetically-predisposed people found several factors that may be involved. Although evidence is still limited, the scientists advise avoiding both early (before 4 months) and late (after 7 months) introduction of gluten; it also seems that introducing gluten while the infant is still being breast-fed may be protective.

A group of scientists in Northern Ireland conducted a series of focus groups to explore the attitudes to and awareness of whole grains, perceived barriers and facilitators of whole grains consumption and feelings about how best to promote consumption. The focus groups were composed of those responsible for purchasing food in their household. They found that participants were generally aware of the term “whole grain” yet many barriers to consumption remained despite the increase in availability and promotion in the UK. Despite this it is noteworthy that after reading about health benefits, mothers of young children discussed introducing whole grains to their children in order to establish lifelong habits. 
Public Health Nutrition. 2012; 16(4): 743-751. [Epub July 4, 2012] (McMackin et al.) 

Whole grains are an important source of carbohydrates, but some fad diets discourage this essential food group. To study how this may affect heart disease risk, researchers analyzed the diets and medical records of over 40,000 Swedish women for 15 years. They found that women eating a low carbohydrate diet were at a higher risk of heart disease, and that every 20g decrease in carbohydrates per day and 5g increase in protein per day corresponds to a 5% higher risk of heart disease. This suggests that grain-based diets rich in carbohydrates, the centuries-old traditional food pattern of our ancestors, are associated with a lower risk of heart disease than low carbohydrate diets.
British Medical Journal. 2012 Jun 26;344:e4026. (Lagiou P et al.)

Folate, found in foods such as spinach, is an important vitamin necessary to prevent neural tube defects (birth defects of the brain, spine, and spinal cord). In a study in Egypt, researchers found that sprouting wheat increased folate levels 3- to 4-fold depending on temperature. The scientists concluded that making pita bread with just 50% sprouted wheat flour is enough to increase the daily folate intake by 75 micrograms, or almost 20% of the adult recommended intake.
Food and Nutrition Research. 2012 April 2;56 (Hefni et al.)