Bioactive Compounds in Whole Grains and Their Implications for Health

Abstract

This chapter introduces the present knowledge on major bioactive compounds found in whole grain cereals such as wheat, rye, oat and barley. Cereal products are major dietary sources of folate, contributing to ca. 15-30% of the total intake. Cereals are also major sources of the methyl donors glycine, betaine, choline and trigonelline. Whole grains are a good dietary source of carotenoids. Among cereals, corn has the highest average content of total carotenoids compared to wheat or barley. The most common Plant Sterols in cereal grains include sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, Δ5-avenasterol, Δ7-avenasterol, and the saturated sterols sitostanol and campestanol. The chapter discusses bioavailability and metabolism of bioactives in the body as well as their possible health implications. With regard to health, it focuses on the mechanisms whereby bioactive compounds may decrease the risk for type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease and cancers.