Obesity and abdominal fat are not related to bread consumption , according to a scientific study carried out by researchers from the Department of Clinical Sciences of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria published in the journal Nutrition Reviews .
To reach this conclusion, the researchers analyzed related scientific articles published over the past 30 years that focused on studying the relationship between overweight, obesity, and dietary patterns that include refined or whole-grain bread. The data suggest that eating whole grain bread does not contribute to weight gain in any way . Regarding eating habits that include refined bread, some studies do point to a possible relationship with excess abdominal fat.
According to Lluís Serra, co-author of the study, "despite the fact that many professionals recommend that obese people exclude bread from their diet, the truth is that scientific evidence does not support this measure." The results show that most of the studies reviewed place bread in a neutral position with respect to obesity, and wholemeal bread in a clearly advantageous position. In fact, the researchers say that diets without carbohydrates "are deteriorating the Mediterranean eating pattern ." "What is undoubtedly necessary is to reduce the consumption of sugars and sweets in general, as well as encourage the use of less refined flours, but never reduce the consumption of bread," adds Serra.
