Of how quickly foods increase blood sugar, was tied to a higher body weight ( 13). Study found that eating foods with a higher glycemic index, which is a measure Group of conditions that increase your risk of heart disease ( 12). Syndrome: One study found that those who ate a high amount of carbsįrom starchy foods were over twice as likely to develop metabolic syndrome, a Risk of developing diabetes ( 9, 10, 11). Studies have shown that high-carb diets may be associated with an increased High-carb diets have also been linked to numerous health conditions, including: Making these changes slows the absorption of sugar in the bloodstream and helps maintain steady blood sugar levels. Refined pasta, in particular, is higher in carbs and lower in fiber than whole-grain pasta.Īdditionally, simple carbs like refined pasta are digested very quickly, leading to increased hunger and a higher risk of overeating ( 8).įor this reason, those who have diabetes are advised to keep carb intake in moderation and eat plenty of fiber. Pasta is high in carbs, with a one-cup serving of cooked spaghetti containing between 37–43 grams, depending on whether it is refined or whole-grain ( 6, 7).Ĭarbs are broken down quickly into glucose in the bloodstream, which results in a sharp rise in blood sugar. Increased risk of heart disease, high blood sugar and insulin resistance. Eating refined carbs has been associated with an It should also be noted that the glycemic index of pasta is in the low to medium range, which is lower than that of many other processed foods ( 5). However, more studies that focus specifically on the health effects of refined pasta are needed. Still, many studies have found that eating lots of refined carbs may have negative health effects.įor example, a study including 117,366 people found that high carb intake, especially from refined grains, was linked to an increased risk of heart disease ( 3).Īnother study of 2,042 people also found that higher refined grain consumption was associated with increased waist circumference, blood pressure, blood sugar, bad LDL cholesterol, blood triglycerides and insulin resistance ( 4).

A study including 16 participants found that there was no difference in blood sugar levels after eating refined pasta or whole-grain pasta ( 2). However, other studies have found mixed results regarding the benefits of whole-grain pasta. One study found that whole-grain pasta lowered appetite and increased fullness more than refined pasta ( 1). This may result in decreased feelings of fullness after you eat it, compared to eating high-fiber, whole-grain pasta. Refined pasta is higher in calories and lower in fiber. Most people prefer refined pasta, meaning that the wheat kernel has been stripped of the germ and bran along with many of the nutrients it contains. Refined, enriched and whole-grain pastas are available. Made from durum wheat and water, though noodles can be made from other grains as Whole-grain pasta is also available, which contains all parts of the wheat kernel.Ī few examples of commonly consumed types of pasta include:Ĭommon toppings for pasta include meat, sauce, cheese, vegetables and herbs. Sometimes refined pasta is enriched, meaning it has some nutrients, such as B vitamins and iron, added back in.

Some types of pasta are refined during processing, stripping the wheat kernel of the bran and germ, removing many of the nutrients.

However, similar noodles can be made from other grains, such as rice, barley or buckwheat. Nowadays, most products sold as pasta are made from common wheat. It is formed into different noodle shapes and then cooked in boiling water. Pasta is a type of noodle that’s traditionally made from durum wheat, water or eggs.

Macaroni shells carbs