The beneficial component of wholegrain is a group bioactive substances called benzoxazinoids (which the research team who have undertaken recent research into the health effects have dubbed BX). These BX compounds appear to aid the human immune system.
Wholegrain (or ‘whole grain’) refers to any cereal grain that contains the germ, endosperm, and bran (that is all of the constituent parts). This is in contrast to refined grains, which retain only the endosperm (as would be used to produced white bread, for example.) Examples of cereals from which wholegrains are harvested include wheat, oats, barley, and quinoa.
The discovery of benzoxazinoids in wholegrains is a relatively recent find. The health benefits of these compounds is established and they have been detected in some medicinal plants. With cereals the levels are highest of all in ripened rye. Another thing of interest, is the carryover of benzoxazinoids into products like baked bread (where wholegrains are used.)
To measure the extent that benzoxazinoids are absorbed into the body, a research project called Bread and Breakfast was established. Measures were made of the amount that was eaten by test subjects and comparing this with the amount circulating in the blood and excreted in urine. This investigation showed there was a high retention rate.
The researchers also considered the effect of benzoxazinoids on the immune system and allergies. They used blood cell models for this. The outcome here was not anti-allergy effect was noted; however, the production of immune cells was higher. Work on cell cultures does not necessarily translate to the same effect within a human; nonetheless, the effect is of interest to nutritionists.
Speaking about this part of the research, lead author Professor Inge S. Fomsgaard from the Department of Agroecology at Aarhus University, stated: “Eating a diet rich in BX compounds made certain immune system cells react more strongly to some types of bacteria.”
The research is published in the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. The research paper is titled “Benzoxazinoids: Cereal phytochemicals with putative therapeutic and health-protecting properties.”
