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"Do enriched grains have the same health benefits as whole grains?"

Julie From Los Angeles, CA

Both enriched and whole grains have unique health benefits. Whole grains are a rich source of a wide range of nutrients including phytochemicals, antioxidants, fiber, B vitamins and minerals. Research supports the connection between whole grain consumption and a decrease in risks for many major diseases including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and obesity.

Enriched grains are fortified with iron and B vitamins and are a good source of complex carbohydrates. There is twice the amount of folic acid in enriched and fortified grains as there is in whole grains. Studies have shown that the additional folic acid in enriched grains aids in risk reduction of birth defects, strokes and Alzheimer’s disease. Enriched grains are also thought to be responsible for the eradication of pellagra and beriberi in the United States.

Both types of grains have their place in a healthy meal plan, which is just one reason why the United States Department of Agriculture recommends six 1-ounce equivalents of grain foods per day with half of those servings coming from whole grains.

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