Whole Grain Oat Cereal Consumption Reduces Antihypertensive Medication Need: A Cost Analysis

July 24, 2002

Whole Grain Oat Cereal Consumption Reduces Antihypertensive Medication Need:

A Cost Analysis

Eighty-eight volunteers (45 males and 43 females) between the ages of 33 and

67 with a history of essential mild or moderate hypertension with blood

pressure stabilized on medication were included in the study. The

randomized, controlled, parallel group trial consisted of three 4-week

phases: an initial feeding phase, a medication reduction phase, and a

maintenance phase. Participants were randomized to either an oat cereal

treatment group receiving a daily serving of 60g of Quaker Oatmeal and 77g

of Quaker Oat Squares, which provided a total of 11.68 g of total fiber,

6.23 g of soluble fiber, and 5.42 g of b-glucans. The control group

consumed 2.32 g of Malto-O-Meal Hot Wheat Cereal and 81 g of Kellogg's

Crispix, which provided a total of 3.52 g of total fiber, 0.6 + <0.5 g of

soluble fiber. Seventy-three percent of those in the oats group had a BP

medication reduction during the intervention and maintained that reduction

at the end of the study, compared with only 42% in the control group

(P<.05). The average BP in the oats group was lowered from 140/88 mm Hg at

baseline to 134/85 mm Hg by the end of the first four weeks. The change in

systolic BP was significant (P<.05). The annual hypertensive medication

cost savings was $197.63 per patient based on those who had a full or

one-half medication reduction in the oats group minus those who had this

reduction in the control group. In addition to the changes in blood

pressure, in the oats treatment group, statistically-significant changes

(P<.01) were seen in total cholesterol (with a decrease of 31.7 mg/dl or

15%) and LDL cholesterol (with a decrease of 22.3 mg/dl or 16%). Fasting

blood glucose levels in the oats group also improved significantly

(P<.01).

Authors: Keenan JM, Pins JJ, Geleva D, Franzel C, O'Connor PJ, Cherney LM

Source: Preventive Medicine in Managed Care 2002. Vol. 3(1):9-17

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