Scientists from Arizona State University found no evidence linking refined grain consumption with the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The research is published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings and was conducted by Glenn Gaesser et al.
In the study, the team used data from all published studies that looked at the associations between refined grain intake and the risk of T2D.
Based on findings from 11 different populations of adults, totaling nearly 400,000 men and women, results revealed no relation between consumption of refined grains and risk of T2D.
These findings refute the commonly held belief that refined and non-whole grains can directly lead to T2D when consumed.
The researchers found eating refined staple grain foods, such as bread, cereals, and pasta were not linked to T2D risk, and total grain intake was consistently linked to a lower risk of T2D.
Even in studies that included indulgent grain foods such as cakes, cookies, sweet rolls, and muffins in the refined grain food category, no association with T2D risk was observed.
However, several studies indicated that high consumption of white rice may increase the risk of T2D but appeared to be mainly in Asian populations.
The team says while these findings may seem surprising after years of maligning grains, in particularly refined grains, there is actually a simple explanation.
Much of the research linking refined grain consumption to T2D risk is based on dietary patterns, which typically categorize refined grains along with red and processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages, French fries, and high-fat dairy products.
It is important to note the distinct difference between the higher-risk categories like red and processed meat and sugar-sweetened beverages, compared with the refined grains category, which is often mistakenly associated with the aforementioned contributors to T2D.
It’s important to remember that most refined grains consumed in America are enriched with thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, iron, and folic acid, and include many other essential nutrients that help make up for nutritional deficiencies that can occur in some American diets.
Grains are much healthier than people give them credit for.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about new drugs to treat diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and heavy cannabis use may decrease incidence of diabetes.
For more information about diabetes, please see recent studies about the normal blood sugar for people with diabetes, and results showing how to prevent heart attack and stroke.
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