Meta-analysiscited by the Tayebat archiveabstract only checked A-WHT-11 standard review
Grains and metabolic syndrome
Associations of Whole Grain and Refined Grain Consumption With Metabolic Syndrome. A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.
Overview
Guo H et al.. Front Nutr 2021 · PMID 34277690 · DOI 10.3389/fnut.2021.695620
Refined grains linked to 37% higher MetS risk in pooled observational studies.
Does the study support the specific claim? Partly · Methodological quality: low
Plain-language summary
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
Grains and MetS
- How was the study done?
Meta-analysis
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
14 studies
- What was actually found?
Positive association
- How large was the observed effect?
RR 1.37
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
Weak signal
- What are the study's limitations?
Mixed designs
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
Weak support
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
Moderate
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
Cause
Scientific in-depth review
1. Full reference
- Authors
- Guo H, Ding J, Liang J, Zhang Y
- Journal
- Front Nutr
- Year
- 2021
- Identifier
- PMID 34277690 DOI 10.3389/fnut.2021.695620 · PMC8280517
- Verification
- verified – PubMed E-utilities efetch, 2026-10-25
- Retracted
- no
- Corrections
- none
- Extent checked
- abstract only
- Conflicts of interest and funding
Authors declare no conflicts.
2. Research question
Grains and MetS
3. Study design and population
- Study design
- Meta-analysis – Meta-analysis of 7 cross-sectional and 7 cohort studies
- Population
Observational study participants
- Country
Multiple
- Period
Search to March 2021
- Sample size
14 studies
4. Methods and endpoints
- Exposure / intervention
Whole/refined grains, highest vs lowest
- Comparator
Lowest
- Endpoints
Metabolic syndrome
- Statistical methods
Random effects
5. Actual results
- Results
Whole grain RR 0.80 (0.67-0.97); refined grain RR 1.37 (1.02-1.84; 13 studies).
- Absolute risks
not reported
- Authors' conclusion
Whole grains negatively, refined grains positively associated with MetS; better prospective studies needed.
6. Strengths
- Pooled data
7. Weaknesses
- Half cross-sectional
- Wide CI
8. Risk of bias
- Orienting tool
- AMSTAR 2
- Type of assessment
- simplified assessment (abstract only)
- Full formal assessment
- no
- Overall risk of bias
- high
- Rationale
Mixed designs pooled.
9. Assessment of the statistical interpretation
Borderline significance.
10. Relevance to the specific claim
Weak support for C-WHT-06.
11. Independent contrary findings
12. Transferability to Germany and Europe
Moderate.
13. Overall methodological judgement
Low-quality evidence.
| Multidimensional assessment | |
|---|---|
| Authenticity of the source | verified |
| Methodological quality | low |
| Risk of bias | high |
| Precision of results | low |
| Directness | direct |
| Reproducibility | unknown |
| Consistency with the overall evidence | mixed |
| Regional transferability | moderate |
| Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive) | not applicable |
14. Open questions
15. Linked fact checks
- Refined-grain eaters carry more visceral fat and are more prone to obesity and metabolic syndrome. – Studies supporting the claim
Use by the Tayebat archive
Note: according to the archive, the studies were compiled by the archive operators. Whether Dr. Elawady himself cited this study is not established.
- What the archive says about the study
Listed in bibliography only.
- E. Is this derivation scientifically justified?
Weak support.
- Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive)
- not applicable