Attention bread lovers: you and your whole grains are gonna live a long, happy life together

Good news for people who love bread as much Oprah does. According to a new study done by Harvard researchers published in the journal Circulation, eating whole grains won't just help you live your best life- you'll be living a longer life, too.

"Starchy carbohydrates" and gluten end up on a lot of "do not eat" lists even though the health benefits of unrefined whole grains have been demonstrated time and again. Earlier studies have linked whole grain consumption to preventing illnesses like type 2 diabetes, stroke, and colorectal cancer.

But this is the first study that actually ties eating whole grains to lower rates of mortality. And isn't that the whole point of healthy eating?

People who reported eating 70 grams, or about four servings, of whole grains a day, compared with those who ate little or no whole grains, had a 22% lower risk of dying during the study period. There was also a 23% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and a 20% lower risk of cancer mortality. Is this your "aha moment"?

Of course you shouldn't focus just on the bread basket. One serving amounts to about a half cup of whole grains. Researchers remind us that there are a variety of ways to get your recommended 70 grams: oatmeal, quinoa, brown rice, and even popcorn will provide you with the fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals you need to live the (long) life of your dreams.