A DIET that includes three daily servings of whole grains appears to help people live longer, according to findings released last Monday (13).
For each 16-gram serving of whole grains, public health researchers at Harvard University noted a seven per cent decrease in overall risk of death, including a nine per cent decline in risk of heart disease death and five per cent decline in risk of cancer-related death.
Upping whole grain intake to three servings per day, or 48 grams, brought about a 20 per cent drop in overall risk of death, including a 25 per cent decline in risk of heart disease death and 14 per cent decline in risk of cancer-related death.
For their research, scientists analysed results of more than 12 previous studies conducted between 1970 and 2010 in the US, Britain and Scandinavian countries, involving 786,076 male and female participants. “These findings further support current dietary guidelines that recommend at least three daily servings (or 48 grams) of whole grains to improve long-term health and prevent premature death,” senior author Qi Sun of Harvard’s Department of Nutrition said.
He warned against popular lowcarbohydrate diets that ignore the benefits of whole grains, saying they should be “adopted with caution” because they may be linked to higher risk of heart disease.
Whole grains include foods such as whole wheat, oats, brown rice and quinoa. They contain fibre, which may improve cholesterol levels and lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity and type two diabetes.
They also provide nutrients like B vitamins and minerals (iron, zinc, copper, and magnesium) that are lost during the refining process.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)