David PerlmutterPresident,, Perlmutter Health Center · Board-Certified Neurologist | Functional Medicine Pioneer | #1 New York Times Best-Selling Author | International Speaker | Host of The Empowering Neurologist Podcast

Are There Any Good Grains?

26 Oct 2013 · 1 min

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1:06

In this brief monologue, Dr. David Perlmutter addresses the question of whether any grains can be considered healthy. He argues that most modern grain foods—including quinoa, spelt, amaranth and other trendy varieties—are high‑carbohydrate foods with a relatively high glycemic index, causing blood‑sugar spikes 90–120 minutes after consumption. He claims these spikes are detrimental to brain health. Perlmutter also raises concerns about the non‑organic nature of many grain products and the potential for genetic modification in some grain varieties. Concluding, he recommends a complete avoidance of grains as the safest approach for protecting the brain.

Chapters

I'm often asked about other grains aside from wheat. And, you know, the reality of the situation is that most grain foods, virtually all of the grain foods that have become so popular these days, are actually very high in carbohydrate. Whether we're talking about quinoa, spelt, amaranth, the very popular grains of the day, the reality is they still are associated with a carbohydrate surge or a glucose They have a fairly high glycemic index, meaning that after 90 minutes to 120 minutes, your blood sugar is going to go up, and that is detrimental to the brain. Beyond that, we're often concerned about the other contents of grains being non-organic, and beyond that, even the possibility of having some genetic modification work its way into certain grains. So it may seem draconian, But the, the best recommendation I can make is to completely avoid grains.