Health and nutrition studies related to cereal biodiversity: a participatory multi-actor literature review approach

Sofi, F., Dinu, M., Pagliai, G., Cei, L., Sacchi, G., Benedettelli, S., Stefani, G., Gagliardi, E., Tosi, P. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4171-6120, Bocci, R., Bussi, B., de Santis, G., Rodriguez Y Hurtado, I., de Kochko, P., Riviere, P., Carrascosa-García, M. and Martínez, I. (2018) Health and nutrition studies related to cereal biodiversity: a participatory multi-actor literature review approach. Nutrients, 10 (9). 1207. ISSN 2072-6643 doi: 10.3390/nu10091207

Abstract/Summary

Recently, a large and growing body of literature has investigated the health potential of different wheat species. In particular, a considerable number of studies dealing with nutritional aspects has grown up around the theme of the recovery of ancient wheat varieties (species that have remained unchanged over the last hundred years). According to several studies, indeed, ancient varieties present a healthier nutritional profile than modern ones. In the framework of the European project "CERERE, CEreal REnaissance in Rural Europe: embedding diversity in organic and low-input food systems", this paper aimed to review recent research on the issue of health and nutritional cereal systems by adopting an innovative and participatory multi-actor approach which involved practitioners along with researchers. The participatory approach is the main innovation and peculiarity of this literature review. Nevertheless, the review highlights the many positive effects derived from eating whole and ancient grains such as a significant reduction in the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and also a more favorable long-term weight management and increase in satiety. This review may be considered as a fruitful starting point that integrates research results to foster current and future healthier and sustainable practices in cereal systems.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/79461
Identification Number/DOI	10.3390/nu10091207
Refereed	Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords	ancient grains, cereal biodiversity, gluten-related disorders, inflammatory parameters, metabolic syndrome, participatory multi-actor approach, whole grains
Publisher	MDPI
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