According to a study, choosing nutritious cereals with lower sugar content and including dried fruit in your breakfast can improve your long-term health.
Using data from the UK Biobank, researchers at Anhui University of Science and Technology in China examined the relationship between breakfast habits and mortality risk among about 186,000 adults. The study concentrated on the kind of cereal, how much was eaten, and what extra ingredients were added.
The study found that individuals who incorporated dried fruit into their cereal had an 11% lower risk of dying from cancer and an 18% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. Unrefined grain-based cereals like muesli, a typical nutritious cereal that combines whole grains, nuts, and dried fruit, showed this effect the most.
The risk of dying overall was lowered by 11% for those who consumed less than half a bowl of muesli daily and 15% for those who drank more than half a bowl. The risk of death decreased by 12% for those who consumed one bowl of wheat bran cereal daily, and the mortality rate decreased by 12% for those who drank more than half a bowl of oatmeal.
Conversely, when people choose high-sugar cereals for breakfast, the risk of premature death increases by up to 40%. The researchers concluded that dried fruit helps prevent heart disease and cancer because natural antioxidants and dietary fiber are concentrated during drying.
According to experts, “eating fiber-rich muesli, oatmeal, and bran cereals in moderation for breakfast can help maintain health.” They specifically stressed the significance of closely examining the sugar content when selecting cereals.
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