Research
Macro partitioning
High intake of refined carbohydrates and sugary beverages is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease, whereas high intake of fiber from whole grains is associated with lower risks of these conditions.
Focus on the quality of your carbohydrates. Replace refined sugars and starches (found in sugary drinks, white bread, and pastries) with whole grains and high-fiber foods. This shift lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
StrongSupportsHIGH confidence
Higher intakes of refined starches and sugar, particularly when associated with low-fiber intake, are associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes (139, 140) and CHD (12, 104). In contrast, researchers have consistently associated higher intake of fiber from grain products with lower risks of CHD and diabetes (75, 76).
Why this rating
Supported by prospective studies and metabolic data cited in the review.
Source
Current Evidence on Healthy Eating
Walter C. Willett et al. · Annual Review of Public Health · 2013
DOI 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-031811-124646
narrative_reviewCited 251×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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