Abstract
Backgrounds: There is growing evidence from both observational and intervention studies that Whole Grain (WG) cereals exert beneficial effects on human health, especially on the metabolic profile. The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCT) to assess the acute and medium/long-term effect of WG foods on glycaemic control and insulin sensitivity in healthy individuals. Methods: A search for all the published RCT on the effect of WG food intake on glycaemic and insulin response was performed up to December 2016. Effect size consisted of mean difference (MD) and 95% CI between the outcomes of intervention and the control groups using the generic inverse-variance random effects model. Results: The meta-analysis of the 14 studies testing the acute effects of WG foods showed significant reductions of the post-prandial values of the glucose iAUC (0–120 min) by −29.71 mmol min/L (95% CI: −43.57, −15.85 mmol min/L), the insulin iAUC (0–120 min) by −2.01 nmol min/L (95% CI: −2.88, −1.14 nmol min/L), and the maximal glucose and insulin response. In 16 medium- and long-term RCTs, effects of WG foods on fasting glucose and insulin and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance values were not significant. Conclusions: The consumption of WG foods is able to improve acutely the postprandial glucose and insulin homeostasis compared to similar refined foods in healthy subjects. Further research is needed to better understand the long-term effects and the biological mechanisms.
Highlights
Over the past decades, the burden of non-communicable chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases (CVD), metabolic syndrome, diabetes and cancer, is rapidly increasing worldwide [1].Non-communicable chronic diseases are generally preventable by managing modifiable risks factors, including dietary habits
Effect size consisted of mean difference (MD) and 95% CI between the outcomes of intervention and the control groups using the generic inverse-variance random effects model
When the results from all of the studies were there was no summary effect on fasting glucose in the WG group compared to the control group grouped in a meta-analysis, there was no summary effect on fasting glucose in the WG group (MD = −0.04 mmol/L, 95% CI: −0.13, 0.04 mmol/L) with no significant evidence of heterogeneity compared to the control group (MD = −0.04 mmol/L, 95% CI: −0.13, 0.04 mmol/L) with no significant (I2 = 33%; p = 0.11; Figure 5). 2The visual inspection of the funnel plot showed asymmetry due to the evidence of heterogeneity (I = 33%; p = 0.11; Figure 5)
Summary
The burden of non-communicable chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases (CVD), metabolic syndrome, diabetes and cancer, is rapidly increasing worldwide [1].Non-communicable chronic diseases are generally preventable by managing modifiable risks factors, including dietary habits. Diet may play a key role in the promotion and maintenance of good health, but modern lifestyle is leading to a shifting away from traditional dietary patterns in favour of eating habits characterized by increased portion sizes, away-from-home foods, and unhealthy snacking. This process, known as “Westernization” of the diet, is characterized by major consumption of refined sugars and fats, animal products and refined cereals, as well as decreased consumption of fruit, vegetable, and whole-grain (WG) cereals. The endosperm alone, mainly composed of starchy carbohydrates, proteins, and small amounts of vitamins and minerals, is used to produce refined white flours
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