Eating whole-grain breakfast cereals daily is associated with a lower risk of heart failure, according to a new study.

US researchers have found that people who eat breakfast cereals that contain at least 25 percent oats or bran every day are 28 per cent less likely to develop heart failure. The risk of heart failure decreased by 22 per cent in those who ate a whole-grain breakfast cereal from two to six times per week and by 14 per cent in those who ate a whole-grain breakfast cereal up to once per week.

According to researchers, a healthy diet including whole-grain breakfast cereals along with other measures may help reduce the risk of heart failure. Whole grains are rich in vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants and have a high fibre content.

"There are good and powerful arguments for eating a whole-grain cereal for breakfast," said Harvard researcher Dr Luc Djoussé. "The significant health benefits of whole-grain cereal are not just for kids, but also for adults. A whole-grain, high-fibre breakfast may lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol and prevent heart attacks."

Djoussé hopes that the finding will persuade people to consider eating heart-healthy diets, including a regular whole-grain, high fibre breakfast for its overall health benefits.

"The study shows that even in a population with overall healthy behaviour, it is possible to see less heart failure in those who eat a whole-grain cereal breakfast," Djoussé said.