By replacing refined carbohydrates in your diet with whole-grain choices, such as whole wheat, brown rice and barley, you can lower your blood pressure according to a new study from Maryland. After two weeks on a diet containing whole-grain items instead of refined grain products, men and both pre and post-menopausal women with slightly high cholesterol levels improved their blood pressure and their weight.

Blood pressure improved most in women who consumed a barley heavy diet -- while blood pressure in men improved most on a half-wheat/rice-half-barley diet. Post-menopausal women were the least effected by the dietary change -- but thats not to say it didn't help them at all.

You might be thinking to yourself -- okay, so I know whole grains are good for me, but what the heck are they? Whole grains are the entire grain kernel in its natural form. Breads, cereals and rice that are labeled whole grain are made from kernels that keep their bran, germ and endosperm intact -- whole.