Do dietary choices alone alter the risk of developing metabolic syndrome?

Abstract

In studies of patient populations controlled for differences in dietary content alone, independent of weight loss or exercise changes, diets with high glycemic index foods, low whole grain and fiber content, and low fruit and vegetable content are associated with an increased incidence of metabolic syndrome (strength of recommendation [SOR]: B, multiple large cohort studies). In the short term, however, switching patients at high risk for metabolic syndrome from a high- to low-glycemic index diet doesn't improve serum markers of metabolic syndrome (SOR: C, a small randomized controlled trial).