A recent study conducted by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center has provided further evidence that overweight individuals who observe a diet of high-fibre foods and whole grains could reduce their markers for inflammation (Neuhouser et al., 2012). The presence of a low-glycaemic index diet (low GI diet) also reduces the spiking associated with sudden rises in blood glucose levels. This had been clearly demonstrated in an earlier study (Boynton et al., 2007).

In the study, 80 participants from Seattle completed two four-week periods in random on either a high-GI or low-GI diet. One half was considered normal weight and the other half was considered obese. One of the markers, C-reactive protein is associated with inflammation conditions in both cancers and arteriosclerosis. Participants on the low glycaemic diet had a lower level of this inflammation marker by nearly 23%. An important hormone, adiponectin which has been implicated in a broad spectrum of cancers was also reduced slightly but significantly by 5%. The research builds on previous studies which have demonstrated that high glucose and insulin levels following feeding (a post-prandial effect) are associated with a high GI diet and ultimately with poor health benefits. The converse of consuming a low GI diet as part of an improved diet management helps to improve general well-being (Jenkins et al., 1987; Pereira et al., 2004).

References

Boynton, A., Neuhouser, M.L., Wener, M.H., Wood, B., Sorensen, B., Chen-Levy, Z., Kirk, E.A., Yasui Y, La Croix K., McTiernan, A., Ulrich, C.M. (2007) Associations between healthy eating patterns and immune function or inflammation in overweight or obese postmenopausal women. Am J Clin Nutr 86 pp. 1445-55

Jenkins, D.J., Wolever, T.M., Collier, G.R., et al., (1987) Metabolic effects of a low-glycemic-index diet. Am J Clin Nutr., 46 pp. 968–75.

Neuhouser, M.L., Schwarz, Y., Wang, C., Breymayer, K., Coronado, G., Wang, C-Y., Song, X., Lampe, J.W. (2012) A Low-Lycemic Load Diet reduces Serum C-Reactive Protein and Modelstly Increases Adiponectin in overweight and obese adults. J. Nutr. 142 pp. 369-374

Pereira, M.A., Swain, J., Goldfine, A.B., Rifai, N., Ludwig, D.S. (2004) Effects of a low-glycemic load diet on resting energy expenditure and heart disease risk factors during weight loss. JAMA. 292: pp. 2482–2490.