New Study Finds “Good” Carbs
May be Even Better than
We Thought

You may be following a low-carb or carb-controlled diet for weight loss or to improve blood sugar balance. Now, there’s another good reason to eat this way: A recent study of overweight and obese adults who followed a diet rich in slowly digested carbohydrates — such as whole grains, legumes and other high-fiber foods — showed reduced markers of inflammation associated with chronic disease.

This study, published online ahead of the February print issue of The Journal of Nutrition, involved 80 healthy men and women, half of whom were average weight and half overweight or obese. Results showed that among overweight and obese study participants, a low-glycemic-load diet (that which contains slowly digested carbs) reduced a biomarker of inflammation called C-reactive protein by about 22 percent. C-reactive protein is associated with an increased risk for many cancers, as well as cardiovascular disease.

It was also found that among overweight and obese study participants, a low-glycemic-load diet modestly increased blood levels of a hormone called adiponectin. This hormone helps regulate the metabolism of fat and sugar, and also plays a key role in protecting against several cancers, including breast cancer, as well as metabolic disorders such as type-2 diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and hardening of the arteries.

According to lead author Marian Neuhouser, Ph.D., R.D., a member of the Cancer Prevention Program in the Public Health Sciences Division at the Hutchinson Center, “The bottom line is that when it comes to reducing markers of chronic-disease risk, not all carbohydrates are created equal. Quality matters.”

This new study adds to the mounting research supporting the health benefits of a low-glycemic diet. A low-glycemic diet is far from restrictive, it just involves making better choices such as eating whole grains rather than refined grains; beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds; and choosing low-GI vegetables and fruit. Cutting back on highly refined “white” foods such as flour, rice, pasta, bread, crackers, cereal, and simple sugars is a key way to live a healthier lifestyle.

Info from livesowell.com

My Thoughts: I really like how this article broke down the reasoning for a low-GI diet.  I used to be under the impression that only people who were diabetic or at risk for diabetes had to worry about the Glycemic Index.  Shakeology rates a 24 on the GI scale…which is very low for a health shake.  Couple that with the fact that you get all your fruits and veggies in one glass for the day and I am in. Click here to see why customers buy Shakeology.

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