A new study found that ancient grains like oats, brown rice, and millets can improve health outcomes in people with type 2 diabetes. Results showed for those with type 2 diabetes, oat consumption could improve cholesterol levels. Ancient grains, known for their lack of genetic modification and higher levels of beneficial phytochemicals and fibers, may offer a promising avenue for dietary intervention.
This new analysis of 29 randomized controlled trials suggests ancient grains may produce positive diabetes health outcomes, with particular benefits observed in blood sugar and cholesterol profiles. The findings were published in the journal Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases.
Studying the Impact of Ancient Grains on Diabetes
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, researchers assessed the effectiveness of various types of ancient grains in managing diabetes.
The studies involved a total of 1,809 participants, with a slightly higher proportion of males (55.2%) and an average age of around 56. The majority of participants had type 2 diabetes, with only one study including individuals with type 1 diabetes.
On average, participants had been living with diabetes for approximately 14 years, with many managing their condition with oral medications or a combination of oral medications and insulin injections.
All included studies looked at cardiovascular risk factors such as body weight, blood sugar, and cholesterol, with varying significant outcomes. However, they didn’t address other vital diabetes management aspects, like patient satisfaction, overall well-being, and the cost-effectiveness of using ancient grains in diabetes treatment.
The studies included in the analysis most commonly examined the effects of oats, brown rice, buckwheat, or chia seeds on diabetes. Notably, only a fraction of the studies (24%) used whole, unrefined grains in their research.
Using specialized software, the researchers combined and analyzed the studies’ diverse data to identify consistent trends in the impact of ancient grains on diabetes health outcomes.
The findings underscore the importance of dietary choices in diabetes management alongside traditional medical treatments.
How Ancient Grains Can Improve Heart Health
Oats, brown rice, millet, and all other ancient grains are considered whole grains which include not only starch, but also fiber, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats.
In the comprehensive analysis, the vast majority of studies (96.5%) suggested a positive effect of ancient grain consumption on various diabetes markers, including insulin levels, hemoglobin A1c, fasting blood glucose, and cholesterol levels.
Of the studied ancient grains, oats stood out for their potential to significantly improve cholesterol and fasting blood glucose levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes, which is supported by previous research.
Brown rice also showed beneficial effects, particularly on HbA1c and body mass index (BMI), but not on other blood sugar and cholesterol markers, which is partially aligned with previous research, according to the study authors.
Millets also showed a significant effect on body weight; however, the study authors recommend interpreting this finding with caution due to potentially confounding factors in the included studies.
On the other hand, despite their known health benefits, chia seeds did not demonstrate a significant influence on diabetes markers in this meta-analysis, possibly due to the small sample sizes involved.
The study found that ancient grains might benefit those with type 2 diabetes, but the results may not be entirely reliable due to the variability and limitations of the of the data reviewed. The authors call for more standardized, in-depth research on ancient grains for diabetes management.
Leave a Comment