Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy.
Nutrients. 2020 Dec 29;13(1):81. doi: 10.3390/nu13010081.
Cereals are one of staple foods in human diet, mainly consumed as refined grains. Nonetheless, epidemiological data indicate that whole grain (WG) intake is inversely related to risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and several cancer types, as well as to all-cause mortality. Particularly responsive to WG positive action is the gastrointestinal tract, daily exposed to bioactive food components. Herein, we shall provide an up-to-date overview on relationship between WG intake and prevention of gastrointestinal tumors, with a particular focus on colorectal, stomach, and esophagus cancers. Unlike refined counterparts, WG consumption is inversely associated with risk of these gastrointestinal cancers, most consistently with the risk of colorectal tumor. Some WG effects may be mediated by beneficial constituents (such as fiber and polyphenols) that are reduced/lost during milling process. Beside health-promoting action, WGs are still under-consumed in most countries; therefore, World Health Organization and other public/private stakeholders should cooperate to implement WG consumption in the whole population, in order to reach nutritionally effective intakes.
谷物是人类饮食中的主食之一，主要以精制谷物的形式摄入。然而，流行病学数据表明，全谷物（WG）的摄入与 2 型糖尿病、心血管疾病和多种癌症以及全因死亡率的风险呈负相关。胃肠道对生物活性食物成分每天都有反应，尤其容易受到 WG 的积极作用的影响。在此，我们将提供 WG 摄入与预防胃肠道肿瘤之间关系的最新概述，特别关注结直肠癌、胃癌和食管癌。与精制谷物不同，WG 的摄入与这些胃肠道癌症的风险呈负相关，与结直肠肿瘤的风险最一致。一些 WG 的作用可能是通过有益成分（如纤维和多酚）介导的，这些成分在研磨过程中减少/丢失。除了促进健康的作用外，大多数国家的 WG 摄入量仍然不足；因此，世界卫生组织和其他公共/私营利益相关者应合作，在整个人群中实施 WG 的摄入，以达到营养有效的摄入量。
