Researchers from the University of Otago have found that eating less-processed whole grains can help manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
This research comes in light of the growing number of diabetes cases worldwide and the ongoing search for better dietary management of the disease.
What is Whole Grain?
Whole grains include all parts of the grain: the bran, germ, and endosperm. This is in contrast to refined grains, where only the endosperm is retained.
Whole grains are already known for their health benefits, such as reduced risk of various diseases.
The study compared the effects of milling, a process that breaks down grains into smaller pieces, on blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Participants replaced their regular grain foods with intervention foods, either less-processed whole grains or finely milled grains, for two weeks each.
The study found no significant difference in whole-grain intake and energy consumption between the two interventions.
However, blood sugar levels were 9% lower after breakfast and 6% lower throughout the day when less-processed whole grains were consumed, compared to finely milled grains.
Blood sugar variability was also reduced. Body weight increased slightly with finely milled grains and decreased with less-processed grains.
Given these findings, researchers recommend that dietary advice for type 2 diabetes should prioritize the consumption of minimally processed whole grains.
This could lead to more effective blood sugar management and may even have a favorable impact on body weight.
What to Do Next
If you’re concerned about diabetes:
Educate Yourself: Read studies about diabetes drugs like metformin and consider other essential vitamins beneficial for diabetes management.
Minimize Processed Grains: Try to opt for whole grains that are as minimally processed as possible.
Consult a Healthcare Provider: Always consult with your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.
For those concerned about general health:
Bone Health: Read studies about vitamin K deficiency linked to hip fractures in the elderly and other vitamins that could help reduce bone fracture risk.
The research was conducted by Sebastian Åberg and colleagues and is published in the journal Diabetes Care.
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