Scientists have explained the benefits of chilled carbohydrates for the body
Cold pizza and other starchy foods can have an effect on blood sugar levels. The researchers explained that when cooled, some of the starch in the dough turns into so—called resistant starch, a type of carbohydrate that does not break down during digestion and behaves like dietary fiber. This was reported on December 4 in the journal Scientific American.
As noted in the article, the meaning of the mechanism is simple: when the pizza is cooled, starch molecules form long chains that are resistant to digestion. Even after reheating, these structures persist, which reduces the rate of conversion of carbohydrates into glucose. This effect may be useful for people with diabetes or those who seek to reduce the glycemic load and increase the proportion of fermented fiber in the diet.
Studies have shown that a similar transformation occurs not only with pizza, but also with rice, pasta, potatoes, and legumes. The process resembles technological "hardening": heating and then cooling change the starch structure.
In addition, the mechanism has long been studied in laboratories. Scientific publications feature micrographs of chilled rice with long chains of resistant starch, and a number of studies involved volunteers who came to the laboratory at six in the morning to eat chilled rice on an empty stomach for the sake of measurement accuracy. Scientists even recorded the time of chewing, emphasizing that digestion begins in the oral cavity.
Medical Xpress magazine revealed on December 4 that the gut microbiome plays an important role in regulating sleep quality, mood, and overall well-being. When it is in balance and in a healthy state, sleep tends to get better, and if disturbed, a person often experiences insomnia, restless nights, and poor sleep cycles.
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