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Refined flour is made out of the endosperm of the grain kernel, and according to this article, the lectins are contained in the germ of the kernel.

http://www.archevore.com/panu-weblog/2010/3/12/the-argument-against-cereal-grains-ii.html

It just makes me wonder, what are good reasons for avoiding refined flour if these problematic parts are removed?

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It is the way the flour is refined, like bromination. I react to the fibrous parts of flour, but apparently not so much to gluten, as demonstrated by my experiments in the past with croissants vs. ezekial bread. Even though I don't have much of an acute reaction to the processed flour, I figure the long term consequences ingesting chemically and genetically altered grain probably isn't such a good idea. – Happy Now Feb 24 2012 at 23:49

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Two things

a) you've still got the gluten mixed with the starch;

b) refined flour will spike your bloodsugar quicker than almost anything else;

[edit, kudos to Happy_Now for this one] and c) since your refined flour is now devoid of any nutrients, it will replace otherwise nutrient-rich foods (unless you do not care about how many calories you eat each day to meet your nutrient requirements)

If you need more infos on these, archevore and fcourse paleo hacks are full with all the knowlegde and personal testimonies regarding gluten or blood-sugar induced unpleasantness.

Cheers

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I found that sushi rice spiked my blood glucose higher and quicker than a piece of bread in my N=1 diabetes II days. The higher the glycemic index the worse it got. Frosted miniwheats and raisin bran were just as bad as the rice. – thhq Feb 24 2012 at 16:17
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I think that sushi rice in the us has HFCS in it. – peter Feb 25 2012 at 9:32
@peter aughhhhh...and your point is that simple grass-fed sushi rice would have been better for me? It's the glucose from eating excess starch that plays havoc with a diabetic's blood sugar, whether it comes from rice, wheat or raisins. I wish paleos would open their minds a little and get off the fructose/fatty liver bus. – thhq Feb 27 2012 at 14:37
Wholemeal bread raises your blood sugar faster than white bread. – Carly Feb 27 2012 at 14:50
thhq - My point is that sushi rice has HFCS in it. That is my point! – peter Mar 5 2012 at 2:35
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Besides the nutritional problems with grains, there's also the negatives of agriculture. The book "The vegetarian myth" by Lierre Keith is a must read, even for non-vegetarians.

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I say its obvious... its a processed food that has very limited nutrition.

If you are 100% certain that your body does ok with a slice of white bread then consider eating it after an intense workout.

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Any calorie you eat without nutrients is a calorie can't you eat with them. And yes, the presence of gluten is still a major problem.

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That was my response - refined grains are nutritionally void, which is why so many of them are "enriched." – JansSushiBar Feb 24 2012 at 16:42

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