A diet rich in whole grains can help keep your heart healthy and reduce the risk of certain cancers. That’s because whole grains contain fibers and other valuable nutrients that benefit your body. Studies also show that people who eat whole grains tend to stay more satisfied throughout the day, get more physical activity and maintain a healthier weight. Whole grains have so much to offer, we just can’t stop singing their praises!

Body Mass Index (BMI)/Hunger Satisfaction: Dietary fiber has been associated with lower body weight and body fat. In one study, women with the highest fiber intake had a 49 percent lower risk of major weight gain over 12 years. Just like the link between whole grains and heart disease, an important part of body weight management seems to be whole grain’s fiber content.

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) and Stroke: According to recent studies, the bran component of whole grain in particular could be the main factor in reducing the risk of heart disease. Eating high-fiber foods has also been associated with a reduced risk of stroke. Plenty of research done over the past 20 years has shown the important relationship between fiber intake and cardiovascular health.

Healthy Blood Sugar Levels: Blood sugar levels are a measure of the glucose in your blood stream, which the body uses for energy. When you have a healthy blood sugar level, your body is benefiting from slow, steady energy. And that’s where carbohydrates come in.

Dietary carbohydrates include the sugars and starches in food that your body turns into glucose for energy. Whole grains contain complex carbohydrates which are turned into glucose and energy more slowly than refined carbohydrates. Refined carbohydrates, found in processed foods and white flour, can raise blood glucose levels and be turned in to energy more quickly. Refined carbohydrates also lack the natural nutrients and fiber found in whole grains. Kashi’s 7 Whole Grains provide complex carbohydrates that provide a more sustained source of energy.

Diabetes: Diabetes happens when the body is not able to manage blood sugar levels. In a healthy body, the hormone insulin assists in turning glucose into energy for cells. In diabetes, your body doesn’t process blood glucose effectively, and cells don’t get the energy they need. Studies have shown that increasing your fiber intake could reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes—the most common form—by up to 30%. The fiber in whole grains, rather than fruit or vegetable fiber, seems to be associated with this protective effect.