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

2024-05
Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases : NMCD 34(5)
- Camilla Elena Magi
- Laura Rasero
- Edoardo Mannucci
- Guglielmo Bonaccorsi
- Francesco Ranaldi
- Luigia Pazzagli
- Paola Faraoni
- Nadia Mulinacci
- Stefano Bambi
- Yari Longobucco
- Ilaria Dicembrini
- Paolo Iovino

PubMed: 38553358
DOI: 10.1016/j.numecd.2024.03.005

Study Design

Type: Meta-Analysis
Sample size: n = 717
Population: patients with Diabetes Mellitus (DM), most samples were affected by DM type 2
Methods: systematic review and meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials
Duration: 1 day to 24 weeks

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.

Research Insights

Millet→Reduced Blood Cholesterol
Pooled analyses of studies using chia and millet did not show significant effects on selected outcomes.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Millet→Reduced LDL Cholesterol
Pooled analyses of studies using chia and millet did not show significant effects on selected outcomes.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
oats→Reduced Blood Cholesterol
Pooled analyses of studies using chia and millet did not show significant effects on selected outcomes.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
oats→Reduced LDL Cholesterol
Pooled analyses of studies using chia and millet did not show significant effects on selected outcomes.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small