We have known for a long time that our diet has an important in our metabolism. However, not much was known about the impact that various types of food have on our system. A new study has found that eating more whole grains increases our metabolism and promote weight loss.
The more general study on the impact of eating whole grains was published at the same with a more specific study involving the effect of whole grain on gut bacteria. Both research papers have been published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Previous epidemiology studies have revealed the health benefits of a whole grains diet as well as that of a diet rich in fiber, such as higher glycemic control and insulin sensitivity. However, there has been a certain degree of controversy regarding the effect of whole grains and fiber on weight, mostly due to the fact that there isn’t a lot of data available from metabolic studies.
The new study aims to explain how the consumption of whole grain is beneficial for weight loss by providing this type of food to participants for a period of eight weeks. The researchers wanted to determine exactly how a high whole grain consumption can benefit weight management.
For their study, the scientists conducted a randomized single-blind study on 81 men and women with ages between 40 and 65, for a period of eight weeks. During the first two weeks, all participants ate the same food, as scientists determined their required caloric intake. Afterward, each group was required to either eat only a whole grain diet or a refined grain one. The main difference between the diets being in the grain and its fiber content.
Throughout the study, the searchers measured the metabolic rate, blood glucose, weight, hunger, fullness, and fecal calories of each participant. At the end of the study, they found that the whole grains diet increased the metabolic rate as well an increase in the fecal energy losses compared to the participants who ate the refined grains diet. The caloric loss was due to how fiber changes the digestibility of other types of calories.
What do you think about this study? Do you eat more whole grains or refined grains?
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