Go Ad-Free
logoThe People's Perspective on Medicine

Is White Bread Making You Fat?

Scientists have a new scapegoat in the search for the drivers of the obesity epidemic. A study conducted among more than 9,000 Spanish university students for five years found a link between eating white bread and the risk of adding extra pounds. Two servings (2 ounces each) or more of white bread daily bumped the risk of becoming overweight by 40 percent.

Consuming whole grain breads with meals did not carry the same danger. The problem seems to be that white bread is made with highly refined flour that is lacking in fiber. The carbs in white bread are rapidly absorbed and raise both blood sugar and insulin quickly. The reaction is similar to what happens when a person drinks a sugary soda. This could increase the likelihood of weight gain in vulnerable individuals.

[European Congress on Obesity, May 30, 2014]

These findings are congruent with the information provided by some of our most popular radio guests. Robert Lustig, MD, MSL, is the author of Fat Chance: Beating the Odds Against Sugar, Processed Food, Obesity and Disease. David Perlmutter, MD, is the author of Grain Brain: The Surprising Truth About Wheat, Carbs, and Sugar–Your Brain’s Silent Killers.

Rate this article
star-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-empty
5- 1 rating
About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
Tired of the ads on our website?

Now you can browse our website completely ad-free for just $5 / month. Stay up to date on breaking health news and support our work without the distraction of advertisements.

Browse our website ad-free
Join over 150,000 Subscribers at The People's Pharmacy

We're empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options.