Fruit Granola May Benefit Cardiovascular and Kidney Health in CKD Patients
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A small Japanese study suggests that a low-salt, oat-based granola breakfast may improve blood pressure, lipid risk markers, and gut health indicators in people with moderate chronic kidney disease, while highlighting the need for larger controlled trials.
!Simple fruit granola intervention shows promising cardio-renal signals in CKD patients
Study: Fruits Granola Consumption May Contribute to a Reduced Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Patients with stage G2-4 Chronic Kidney Disease. Image credit: Katarzyna Hurova / Shutterstock
In a recent study published in Foods, researchers investigated the effects of fruit granola (FGR) intake on patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).
Chronic Kidney disease and Cardiovascular Risk
CKD is a substantial global health concern,affecting around 843.6 million people worldwide, and is associated with increasing mortality rates. By 2040, it is projected to be the fifth leading cause of years of life lost worldwide. Lifestyle-related conditions, including diabetes, obesity, and hypertension, are major risk factors for CKD. Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) also worsens life prognosis, similar to CKD, and the two conditions often coexist.
The incidence of CVD increases with CKD progression, with cardiovascular disease being the leading cause of mortality among CKD patients. Dietary interventions,including Mediterranean,whole-grain,and low-protein diets,have been reported to reduce the risk of CKD. Fruit granola is a cereal food primarily made from oats and contains approximately 0.24 g of salt per 50 g serving, making it a low-sodium option compared with typical Western or Japanese meals.
Nutritional Properties of Oats and Granola
The main ingredient in granola, oats, contains beta-glucan, a water-soluble dietary fiber reported to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and blood glucose levels. Previously, the authors noted that FGR intake reduced salt intake and blood pressure (BP) and improved the intestinal habitat in hemodialysis patients in an observational before-and-after study. they hypothesized that FGR intake could yield similar improvements in patients with CKD.
Study Design and Participant Selection
In the present study, researchers investigated the efficacy and safety of FGR consumption among patients with moderate CKD.
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