Wholegrain Diet Lowers Type 2 Diabetes Risk, Helps With Weight Loss

A new Danish study confirms that exchanging refined-grain food (e.g., pasta, white rice, white bread) for whole grain options is good for weight loss, and our overall health.

The study involved 50 adults at risk for developing type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Half the participants ate whole grain foods for eight weeks, then ate their usual diet for six weeks, and finally consumed a refined grain diet for eight weeks.

The remaining participants did the study in reverse order.

Blood tests showed that on the wholegrain diet participants had less inflammation in their bodies, and that rye was especially beneficial for calming inflammation. Though inflammation is normal in the presence of an infection, some people have chronic low-grade inflammation without infection, particularly those who are overweight. This increases the chances of developing type 2 diabetes, and other chronic health conditions.


Study participants also ate less on the wholegrain diet, and generally lost weight. This was likely because the wholegrain foods were more filling and satisfying.

“Our analysis confirmed that there is a sound scientific basis for the dietary recommendation to eat whole grains,” said professor Tine Rask Licht from the National Food Institute. “This may particularly apply to people who are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes.”

The investigators examined participants’ stool samples as well, and found the eight-week wholegrain diet did not effect their gut bacteria composition. However, they suggest that each person’s unique gut microbe composition impacts how their body reacts to dietary whole grains. “This is something that further studies of our data may answer,” says Tine Rask Licht.


Headed by the National Food Institute, this study was done in cooperation with the Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports at the University of Copenhagen, and DTU Bioinformatics.

Source: DTU Food/National Food Institute
Photo credit: Mattie Hagedorn


More Articles

With its slightly nutty flavor, chewy texture, and nutritional punch farro is an ancient whole grain worth a place in our pantry.

Farro...

Having diabetes is cause for concern, however it doesn’t mean that you need to eliminate all of your favorite foods from your diet completely....

With diabetes becoming more of an epidemic each and every day, being knowledgeable about the disease, its effects on the body as well as ways to...

If you’re a diabetic or live with one, it can be tough trying to figure out the best foods to eat because your priority is to control your blood...

In this post, I will show you the 10 best ice creams for diabetics.

When you think of sweetened foods that a diabetic shouldn’t consume,...

More Articles

If you’re living with diabetes, snacking is a necessity because going for more than 3-4 hours without eating can be detrimental to your health....

For diabetics, choosing healthy snacks can be a daunting task.

A good rule of thumb is to pick out snacks that are rich in protein, fiber,...

According to information available through the National Institutes of Health, there’s an estimated 462 million people in the world who are...

Eleven Clinical Studies

After eleven clinical studies and 300,000 participants, researcher Vasanti Malik and her team of researchers...

Diabetic women often have a harder time losing weight than non-diabetic women. A study funded by Jenny Craig proved that diabetic women have an...

Many recent studies have proved that magnesium levels are lower in patients with diabetes than in non-diabetics. This magnesium...

Fluid retention, also known as edema, is a problem that affects many diabetics, especially those with type 2 diabetes...

Some of us might be thrilled if we could manage our blood sugar by sitting in a hot tub or sauna, instead of working up a sweat biking, or using...

Cooking and baking with the ancient cereal grain sorghum has health benefits for people with diabetes, and those with weight control issues....

When it comes to certain foods, there are always questions as to whether or not a diabetic can have them without...

Matcha tea is a rich, creamy, full-bodied beverage with amazing nutritional properties that address several diabetes health concerns.

The...

Salads are good example of foods that type 2 diabetics can enjoy with relatively low guilt. With the right greens and other elements added, salad...

Remaining gainfully employed is important to many people. Those who live with any form of diabetes may find that some lines of work are more...

Learning that you have diabetes does mean making some lifestyle changes. One of the areas that needs attention is your diet. Most people find that...

One of the more challenging aspects of life as a type 2 diabetic is managing your diet. There’s often the temptation to avoid certain foods...