Should diabetics be eating wheat?

Researchers at Afe Babalola University and the University of Ilorin in Nigeria have found that consumption of wheat among diabetics may improve the condition and its complications. In their study, the researchers looked at the effect of wheat (Triticum aestivum)-based diet on diabetes.

• For the study, the researchers assessed the antidiabetic activity of wheat-based diet on diabetic rats.
• They gave rats alloxan to induce diabetes, then fed them a wheat-based diet for 28 days.
• The results showed that the wheat-based diet significantly reversed the levels of fasting blood glucose, albumin, globulin, bilirubin, urea, creatinine, sodium (Na+), and potassium (K+) of the diabetic rats.
• Moreover, the diabetic rats fed with a wheat-based diet showed significantly increased insulin and glycogen concentrations, activities of hexokinase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase, and the levels of hematological parameters.
• Diabetic rats fed with a wheat-based diet also displayed significant reductions in the activities of glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose 1,6-diphosphatase and concentration of malondialdehyde and reversed activities of aspartate transaminase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase level (ALP).
• The wheat-based diet also promoted the regeneration of liver, kidney, and pancreas tissues.
• The findings of the study were published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements.

Based on the findings, the researchers concluded that consumption of wheat-based diet may be beneficial for diabetes patients in managing diabetes mellitus and its complications.

To read more studies on natural diabetes management, visit DiabetesScienceNews.com.

Journal Reference:

Ajiboye BO, Oloyede HOB, Salawu MO. ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITY OF TRITICUM AESTIVUM SEED–BASED DIET ON ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS. Journal of Dietary Supplements. 4 October 2018: 1-17. DOI: 10.1080/19390211.2018.1492485