Plain language summary
Heart disease is the number one cause of death across the world. A diet high in wholegrains is often recommended as part of a heart-healthy diet, but quinoa has been less well studied in comparison to other wholegrains. The aim of this randomised, controlled, cross-over study was to evaluate the effect of daily consumption of quinoa on markers of heart disease risk. 37 healthy overweight men took part in the study. Half the group was given bread enriched with 20g of quinoa flour, whilst the other half was given bread made from 100% refined wheat flour, for 4 weeks. The groups then switched over. At the end of the study, those eating the quinoa-enriched bread saw a significant drop in blood glucose compared to the start of the study. However, there were no differences between the groups for body weight, blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol or inflammation. The researchers concluded that daily consumption of quinoa appears to improve blood glucose response, but has minimal effects on other markers of heart disease.
Abstract
A number of epidemiological studies have suggested that diets rich in whole grains are linked to lower cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and mortality. Quinoa, a pseudo-cereal, is included in the “whole grain” category but the effects of quinoa consumption in humans is not widely studied. Our aim was to undertake a dietary intervention study to investigate the effects of daily consumption of quinoa-enriched bread (providing 20 g quinoa flour) on CVD risk markers compared with a 100% refined wheat bread control. Thirty-seven healthy overweight men (35⁻70 years, body mass index >25 kg/m²) completed a 4-week cross-over intervention, separated by a 4-week washout period. Fasting blood samples were collected at the beginning and end of each intervention period. Continuous glucose monitoring was undertaken at the end of each intervention period. After 4 weeks of intervention, blood glucose and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were significantly lower than baseline in both groups but there was no difference between quinoa and control. Anthropometric measures and other blood metabolites were not different between the two treatments. The cumulative area under the blood glucose curve for the last 4 days of the quinoa intervention tended to be lower than the first 4 days of wash-out (p = 0.054), and was significantly lower than the corresponding period of the wheat treatment (p = 0.039). In conclusion, daily consumption of quinoa in this short-term intervention appears to modify glucose response, but has minimal effects on other CVD risk biomarkers.
Methodological quality
Jadad score
:
3
Allocation concealment
:
Yes
