Approved research

The consumption of wheat impacts on cardiometabolic risk factors.

Lay summary

Cardiovascular disease are a major cause of death and illness globally, while diabetes affects over 4 million people in the UK. Alongside this, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of individuals with cardiometabolic (CMR) risk factors, including conditions like hypertension, elevated fasting plasma glucose, cholesterol, and obesity.

Diet as a significant lifestyle factor and there is growing evidence that it plays a pivotal role in managing these cardiometabolic risk factors. Previous research has highlighted the protective effects of dietary fibre against various chronic health conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome. Wheat is an important source of dietary fibre in Western diets and contributes significantly to daily intake. Few studies have investigated the association of dietary fibre and CMD risk factors in the UK population however there is no study in particular wheat fibre. This three-year project aims to investigate the association between fibre from wheat on cardiometabolic risk factors for the prevention of non-communicable diseases in future.

We will analyse data in the UK Biobank to get a better understanding of the current wheat intake and how they relate to the CMR in the UK middle-aged population to improve health. Our findings guide public health strategies, dietary recommendations, and preventive measures for to the UK population, ultimately promoting cardiovascular health and well-being.