Diabetes mellitus (DM) has emerged as a widespread metabolic condition, now ranking as the 7th most common cause of death and disability. Diet plays a crucial role in managing diabetes alongside glucose-lowering medications. Ancient grains, which have not undergone human breeding or genetic modifications, have been gaining attention for their potential health benefits. These grains are reported to have higher levels of beneficial phytochemicals and fiber compared with modern commercial cereal varieties, which could affect glucose control in the body. Recent studies suggest that incorporating ancient grains into diet may positively impact blood glucose levels.
A systematic review and meta-analysis by Magi et al., recently published in the journal “Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases”, aimed to collate evidence on the impact of consumption of ancient grains on health outcomes in patients with DM. The study sought to answer the following questions:
1. Does adopting a diet based on ancient grains enhance glycemic control and mitigate complications associated with both, type 1 DM and type 2 DM?
2. Which varieties of ancient grains have been the focus of research in the context of DM?
3. Which health outcomes have been explored to evaluate the efficacy of an ancient grain-based diet in managing type 1 DM and type 2 DM?
The ancient grains had positive benefits on body weight, glucose control in diabetes, and lipid levels (see Graphic).
(Source: Magi CE, Rasero L, Mannucci E, Bonaccorsi G, Ranaldi F, Pazzagli L, Faraoni P, Mulinacci N, Bambi S, Longobucco Y, Dicembrini I, Iovino P. Use of ancient grains for the management of diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2024;34(5):1110-28.)