Type 2 diabetes is a condition that causes the body to lose control of the amount of sugar in the blood. The body doesn’t respond to insulin properly, or may not produce enough, and this causes blood sugar levels to become too high. If type 2 diabetes is left untreated, serious complications can occur, including kidney failure, nerve damage, foot ulcers, heart disease and stroke. So what can you do to prevent and control the condition?
Simple lifestyle changes are recommended, including eating a healthy diet.
There’s nothing people cannot eat, but certain foods should be limited.
Experts recommend eating a wide range of foods, including fruit, vegetables and some starchy foods like pasta, and sugar, fat and salt should be kept to a minimum.
But when it comes to a staple of many people’s diets, bread, should intake be limited or are certain breads considered better than others?
Bread is a source of carbohydrate, and during digestion, carbohydrates are broken down into glucose and used for energy, meaning carbohydrates can affect a person’s blood glucose levels.
The key to eating bread and keeping blood sugar levels in check is to choose the right type of bread.
One of the best types of bread for blood sugar levels has been found to be 100 per cent sprouted rye bread.
Rye bread is usually darker in colour and denser in texture, and most modern rye breads are made from a combination of rye flour and wheat flour.
Studies have shown rye bread may lead to greater fullness. Overeating can lead to being overweight, and this is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
It’s also been proven rye bread as less of an impact on blood sugar than wheat bread.
One study in 12 healthy adults found those who ate whole grain rye bread released significantly less insulin than those who ate white wheat bread.
Rye’s ability to lower blood sugar is likely due to its high soluble fibre content.
Soluble fibre is a non-digestible carbohydrate that dissolves in water and becomes gel-like in the gut.
Eating foods rich in soluble fibre has been shown to slow digestion of carbs, decreasing insulin release and reducing blood sugar spikes.
Another bread to consider to keep blood sugar levels in check is pumpernickel bread.
When it comes to an overall diet to follow, research published earlier this year found one of the most crucial factors in preventing type 2 diabetes and bring blood sugars back into a healthier range comes down to eating a plant-based diet.
