Use of ancient grains for the management of diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIMS

A systematic review and meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials was conducted to collate evidence from studies implementing ancient grains and investigate the impact of ancient grain consumption on health outcomes of patients with Diabetes Mellitus (DM).

DATA SYNTHESIS

Twenty-nine randomized controlled trials were included, and 13 were meta-analyzed. Interventions ranged from 1 day to 24 weeks; most samples were affected by DM type 2 (n = 28 studies) and the ancient grains used were oats (n = 10 studies), brown rice (n = 6 studies), buckwheat (n = 4 studies), chia (n = 3 studies), Job's Tears (n = 2 studies), and barley, Khorasan and millet (n = 1 study). Thirteen studies that used oats, brown rice, and chia provided data for a quantitative synthesis. Four studies using oats showed a small to moderate beneficial effect on health outcomes including LDL-c (n = 717, MD: 0.30 mmol/l, 95% CI: 0.42 to -0.17, Z = 4.61, p < 0.05, I2 = 0%), and TC (n = 717, MD: 0.44 mmol/l, 95% CI: 0.63 to -0.24, Z = 4.40, p < 0.05, I2 = 0%). Pooled analyses of studies using chia and millet did not show significant effects on selected outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

For adults affected by DM type 2, the use of oats may improve lipidic profile. Further experimental designs are needed in interventional research to better understand the effects of ancient grains on diabetes health outcomes.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION

CRD42023422386.

Identification of antidiabetic peptides derived from in silico hydrolysis of three ancient grains: Amaranth, Quinoa and Chia

The antidiabetic potential of bioactive peptides derived from simulated gastrointestinal digestion (SGID) of proteins present in amaranth quinoa and chia was evaluated using their bioactivity profile and theoretical interaction with DPP-IV and α-glucosidases. In silico SGID generated 52 different fragments with in vitro antidiabetic activity where fragments PW, PF, PPG, PM, SW, IW, SF, PP, PPL, PG, PY, VW and PL scored highly in bioactivity probability, with molecular weights ranging from 172.2 to 325.44 Da; positive bulkiness index and hydrophobicity (except PP and PY) and no toxic properties. Fragments IW and PW presented the lowest free energy values for enzymes DPP-IV, maltase-glucoamylase, pancreatic α-amylase and sucrase-isomaltase (-8.2, -7.5, -7.7 and -7.5 kcal/mol; and -7.8, -7.4, -8.2, -7.4 kcal/mol respectively) We can conclude that proteins from amaranth, quinoa and chia may be a good source of antidiabetic BP and may exert antidiabetic activity through the release of BP after digestion.

Blood profile and productive performance after partial substitution of maize grain with ancient wheat lines by-products in organic laying hens' diet

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of the partial substitution of maize grain with local ancient wheats by-products in an organic laying hens farm on animal performance and blood profile, as well as on eggs quality. A total of 80 Hy-Line W-36 Single Comb White Leghorn, 18 weeks old hens were homogenously divided into two groups. The two groups (40 laying hens each, 8 replicates, 5 hens/replicate) were fed two isoprotein and isoenergetic diets: the Control group (C) was fed a standard, organic maize-soybean meal diet whereas in the Ancient Grains group (AG) part of the maize grain was replaced by a mix of ancient grains middling, consisting in 50:50 of Triticum aestivum var. spelta (spelt) and Triticum durum dicoccum L. (emmer wheat). The birds fed the maize based-diet (C) showed a higher (P < 0.01) egg weight and feed intake than the Ancient Grains (AG) group. By contrary, the feed conversion ratio was more favourable (P < 0.05) in hens fed the Ancient Grains diet. The eggs produced by the hens fed the Control diet showed higher length and width than the other group (P < 0.01). The shell thickness and strength were also higher in the Control group (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). The experimental dietary treatment positively affected some blood parameters. The Control group showed higher levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (P < 0.05) as well as of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) (P < 0.01). In addition, butyrate, which may have great implications for the regulation of the immune response, resulted significantly higher in the caecal content of hens from the Ancient Grains group. Overall, the Ancient Grains diet seemed to be able to guarantee the production performances with positive effects on the animal health.

A Khorasan wheat-based diet improves systemic inflammatory profile in semi-professional basketball players: a randomized crossover pilot study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Khorasan wheat is an ancient grain with widely acclaimed beneficial effects on human health. The objective of the study was to examine the effect of a Khorasan-based diet on the wellbeing and inflammatory profile of young athletes.

RESULTS

We conducted a randomized, single-blinded crossover trial involving 20 male young athletes. The participants were randomly assigned to consume products (pasta, bread, biscuits and crackers) made either with Khorasan (KAMUT® brand) or modern semi-whole-grain wheat for 4-weeks with a 4-week washout period before the crossover. Laboratory analyses and fitness tests were performed both at the beginning and end of each diet period. The consumption of Khorasan products was associated with a significant reduction of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1; mean reduction: -36.15 pg/mL; -25.67%) while the consumption of modern wheat was not associated with significant differences in Interleukin-8 (IL-8) or Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra). The consumption of the Khorasan-based diet also resulted in a significant improvement in self-rated health status. No statistically significant differences in any athletic performance parameter were observed between the two diets.

CONCLUSION

The present results suggest that a Khorasan-based diet could be effective in reducing the inflammatory status in young athletes. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Re-discovering ancient wheat varieties as functional foods

With the gluten-free food market worth almost $1.6 bn in 2011, there is every reason for renewed interest in ancient grains. This resurgent interest is expressed in re-discovering ancient varieties as functional foods. In particular, people affected by celiac disease have to avoid all gluten in their diet and several ancient grains may offer an important alternative.