**6. Diseases prevention/Management of Cereal Grains Products**

Several cereal grains product has been developed and used in the prevention and management of diseases which includes diabetes, hypertension, inflammation and stroke.

**Diabetes:** Diabetes is a metabolic disease associated with high blood glucose level (hyperglycemia) usually treated using expensive synthetic drugs. Recently, scientific research focuses on the prevention and management of diabetes using cereal grains food products with high resistant starch, and low glycemic index (GI). Hefni et al. [34] developed a low GI cereal-based bread fortified with legume kernels in sourdough fermentation. Developed bread

samples resulted in the reduction of high blood sugar level (>250 mmol/dL) to normal (<100 mmol/dL) after 90 min of consumption in human subject aged between 29 and 62 years, at Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden. Likewise, Olagunju et al. [34] developed a whole wheat multigrain bread with significant *in-vivo* α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities which slow down the rates of metabolism of blood glucose level in experimental animals. Hence, developed whole wheat multigrain bread may serve as a potential food product for the management of diabetes.

**Hypertension:** It is also known as high blood pressure and its onset is associated with a high-risk factor of other cardiovascular diseases. Epidemiological studies have shown that consumption of diet from cereals grains such as oat, barley, rice and rye can reduce blood pressure [35, 36]. He et al. [37] conducted a meta-analysis on consumption cereal grains fiber and found a significant reduction in high blood pressure of subjects. Clinical evidence has also shown that constant consumption of cereal whole grains (oat fiber) in less than 9 weeks by 88 human subjects significantly reduced subject blood pressure [38, 39]. Recently, Odebode et al. [40] developed a dough meal samples enriched with cereal fiber (rice bran). Developed products exhibit antihypertensive potentials in experimental animals fed for four weeks which is attributed to a high content of high-density lipoprotein in developed dough meal.

**Inflammation:** Inflammations refers to the autoimmune ability to fight against germs and diseases. Cereal grains such as maize contains an anti-inflammatory compound called *Ferulic acids*. This derivative is responsible for the production of macrophages which plays a crucial role in the secretion of mediators such as pro-inflammatory and inflammatory cytokines. Productions of these compounds prevent the body against chronic diseases which includes cancer, atherosclerosis, diabetes, among others [41–43].

**Stroke:** Stroke is a cerebrovascular disorder due to shortage of blood (oxygen) reaching the brain which could results in difficulties in walking, talking, and body paralysis. Scientific evidence has shown that the consumption of cereal grains exhibits possible potentials of risk reduction against stroke [9, 10, 43–45]. Mozaffarian et al. [9] conducted a cross-sectional analysis of over 8 years on both male and female stroke subject, aged 65 and above based on cereals grain fiber consumption. The results show that higher consumption of cereal grains fiber is associated with lower risk and recovery of the partial and total cerebrovascular disorder. In the same vein, Fung et al. [46] analyzed the correlation between dietary consumption pattern and stroke in women between 40 and 60 years of age for 14 years. Calculated dietary pattern score shows that subject with higher consumption of processed animal protein and full fats are at higher risk of stroke compared with subjects with higher consumption of cereal grains fiber, fruits and vegetables.

#### **7. Summary and future applications of cereal grains products**

Human populace exposed to a series of health complications due to urbanization and industrialization. Synthetic drugs used in the management of these health challenges are linked with side effects, thereby instigating the application of plants in disease management. Cereal grains are food crops with immeasurable nutritional and functional benefits. Regular consumption could enhance better dietary lifestyle and healthy living. Nevertheless, the development of varieties of novel cereal grain food products, encapsulation, and application of cereal grain bioactive compounds in nanotechnology will further reduce menace caused by a widespread of diseases on human populace.

*Cereal Grain: A Vehicle for Improved Healthy Living DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.97078*
