A new study produced by Harvard University indicates that eating various whole grains is a great way to extend your life. In fact, the study indicates that it may add years to your life.

The researchers released their findings in this month’s issue of the journal JAMA Internal Medicine. In it, they said that the benefits are so clear that your risk of an early death literally drops with every serving you eat in your daily diet.

The more whole grains that you eat, the lower your risk of mortality will be, said Dr. Qi Sun, who is an assistant professor in the field of nutrition working at the Harvard School of Public health. He went on to say that the benefits of eating whole grains are even stronger in the case of heart disease.

In terms of actual percentages, the researchers said that for every one ounce of whole grains eaten per serving, it will reduce that individual’s risk of having an early death by five percent. When it comes to heart disease, their risk of an early death is reduced by as much as nine percent.

The study looked at the value of eating whole grains in terms of the benefit it produced in relation to the risk of death. Two large studies were examined in order to reach their conclusions. One study looked at over 74,000 nurses between 1984 and 2010, and the other one looked at over 43,000 men between 1986 and 2010.

At the beginning of the study, all participants did not have any cancer of cardiovascular disease (CVD). During the duration of the study, 26,920 of the participants died. During the course of the study, participants were given questionnaires every two or three years asking about their diets.

Concerning the deaths that occurred during the study, it was found that among the group that ate the most whole grains daily, only one-third of them died. The death rate was higher among those who ate less whole grains. The researchers did take into consideration differences such as age and weight, and if they smoked or not, although most of those in the study were of European descent.

Another thing that the study revealed was that there appeared to be no benefit at all in the case of cancer. A different study that came out in 2011, however, did point out that eating whole grains and fibers could reduce colorectal cancer.

The current dietary guidelines in the United States recommend that everyone get about three servings of whole grains daily. Some nutritionists recommend trying to eat whole grains with each meal.