Cereals and children’s health

Abstract

Cereals are one of the main sources of energy, complex carbohydrates, vegetable proteins and fats, as well as vitamins, minerals and other important biologically active compounds used in everyday diets. The undeniable health benefits makes these products necessary in the human diet. Hypoglycemic conditions are unacceptable in the period of active growth and development of the brain, as they can disrupt its functioning; to maintain normoglycemia, especially after nightly fasting, it is important to have breakfast with cereals. This is especially important for brain maturation in children with subsequent long-term impact on the development of cognitive functions. Tryptophan-enriched cereals are useful for correcting the sleep–waking cycle in children, especially young children, and also they have a positive effect on mood. Whole grains products help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, obesity, colon cancer, due to their prebiotic effect.