Can A Whole-Grain Diet Thwart Type 2 Diabetes?
A diet rich in whole-grain cereals and breads significantly improves insulin sensitivity in overweight, hyperinsulinemic adults and may therefore reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The randomized clinical trial that arrived at this conclusion had 11 insulin-resistant subjects alternate between six weeks of their regular refined-grain diet and six weeks of the study’s whole-grain regimen. The whole-grain diet produced a 10% decrease in fasting insulin levels compared with the regular diet. These results are consistent with at least four observational studies that have found an inverse relationship between cereal fiber or whole grains and Type 2 diabetes. Pereira, M. A., Jacobs, D. R., et al. (2002). Effect of whole grains on insulin sensitivity in overweight hyperinsulinemic adults. Am J Clin Nutr, 75(5), 848.
