Eating more whole grain products may reduce the percentage of body fat in older people, confirmed by American scientists.

The research focused on dietary habits of 177 men and 257 women with an average age around 68 years. They answered questions about the consumption of whole wheat bread, brown rice, popcorn and other products made of whole grains and fruits and vegetables.

Respondents who ate daily small quantities of these foods, were thicker and had more body fat. On the other hand, people who daily consumed a lot of whole grains had nearly a 2.4 percent less body fat and 3.6 percent less fat around the abdomen.

It is the best to eat whole grains during breakfast, in the form of bread or muesli, and it was found that women are more likely to eat whole grains rather than men. Experts recommend that we should daily consume three or more servings of whole grains, and between 21 and 30 grams of fiber.

The study is published in the Journal of Nutrition.