Having a flour-free diet has become very popular in recent years, and it can be complicated to follow. However, it is scientifically proven that reducing flour consumption (even if you don't eliminate it completely) can be very beneficial for your body. Our friends at ActitudFem have the information on this topic: Many researchers refer in their studies to the harmful effects that processed and refined flours cause in the body.

Make the decision now and live better

A recent study from Harvard University recommends consuming "good carbohydrates" and avoiding refined ones. According to the researchers, the advantages of minimizing the latter in your diet are: 1. If you are overweight, you will lose weight without having to eat less. 2. You will feel full, and your cravings for snacking will decrease. 3. Since the liver creates fat from the glucose derived from these carbohydrates, eliminating them will significantly reduce your blood triglyceride levels. 4. Your levels of good cholesterol (HDL) will rise to more favorable values. 5. Your insulin levels, instead of fluctuating greatly and abruptly (a behavior that poses countless health complications), will remain stable. 6. If you have high blood pressure, it is almost certain that it will normalize. 7. You will significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. 8. If you are at risk of developing acquired diabetes or are pre-diabetic, it is very likely that you will be able to keep the disease under control even without medication.

Differences between refined and whole flour

An article published by the Consumer Magazine of Mexico explains that whole flours provide energy gradually, without destabilizing blood glucose levels. Their calories are metabolized by the liver, transformed into glucose, and distributed in the body as energy that is released as needed. In contrast, to obtain white flours, cereals undergo a grinding and refining process that involves crushing and breaking down whole grains to strip them of the bran (rich in fiber) and the germ (which contains vitamins, proteins, minerals, and unsaturated fats). After the process, what remains are the carbohydrates that make white or refined flours a nutritionally poor food.

Refined flours and sugar

According to Genaro Matus, an academic from the Faculty of Medicine at UNAM, when consuming refined flours, the body absorbs excess sugar within its cells. This can alter nutrient transport and cause cellular damage. At an organic level, the expert explains, many metabolic and hormonal functions are disrupted; and at the brain level, another problem occurs, similar to what happens with drugs, it acts on chemoreceptors that can develop a dependency in the short or long term. Consider the recommendations of experts and enjoy the benefits that reducing flours in your diet brings to your health. See the full article here.