“Let food be your medicine ….” Inclusion of wheat porridge, a whole grain meal, and legumes lowers postprandial glucose in diabetic patient

John Thottukadavil Eapen

doi:10.15419/jmri.35

Abstract

The present case report shows the importance of a meal consisting of whole grains and legumes in lowering postprandial glycaemia. A diabetic patient decided to try out diet and lifestyle modification to control the hyperglycemia. He incorporated wheat porridge for his breakfast and dinner along with other food. The postprandial glucose came down to 145 mg/dl after three months. To test the efficacy of wheat porridge in controlling the postprandial glycaemia, the intake of wheat porridge was stopped for 7 days. Then the glucose level increased to 231.4 mg/dl. However, the level came down after restarting the intake of wheat porridge (197.5mg/dl). After adding a small quantity of psyllium husk and black gram (a legume), the postprandial glucose came down to163.5 mg/dl, indicating the protective role in lowering postprandial glycaemia. Keywords: Porridge, Wheat, Legumes, Diabetes Mellitus Type 2.

Highlights

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disorder of carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism that leads to vascular complications resulting in morbidity and even mortality [1]
After taking the glucose reading for 3 days, wheat porridge was again included in the diet
In order to bring down the blood glucose, a composite wheat porridge explained by Ahmed & Urooj (2015) was used with modification

Summary

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disorder of carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism that leads to vascular complications resulting in morbidity and even mortality [1]. A whole grain meal, and legumes lowers postprandial glucose in diabetic patient. A whole grain meal, and legumes lowers postprandial glucose in diabetic patient www.jmri.org.in. The patient was declared diabetic on 25/6/2011 based on the biochemical reports, which indicated hyperglycemia in the blood and presence of sugar in the urine. He was advised to take medicines to control hyperglycemia. In order to overcome this habit, some amount of normal food was included with wheat porridge during the breakfast.

Total Dietary fiber

Discussion

Conclusion