Wheat and Chana Flour Mix: Is It Good for Diabetes?
In many Indian households, it’s a common tradition to mix a little chana (black gram or chickpea) with wheat while grinding flour. But is this wheat-chana flour mix really helpful for diabetic people? Can it lower blood sugar? Let’s explore this question using science, not myths.
Understanding Glycemic Load
Before analyzing the mix, it's important to understand the scientific term Glycemic Load (GL). GL helps us measure how much a food will raise blood sugar levels after eating.
GL depends on two things:
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Glycemic Index (GI) – a fixed number for each food item
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Quantity of food eaten
Formula to calculate Glycemic Load:
GL = (Total Carbohydrates × GI) ÷ 100
The higher the glycemic load, the more a food will raise your blood sugar.
Step-by-Step: Analyzing Wheat and Chana Flour
Let’s first look at wheat and chana separately:
1. Wheat Flour (100 grams):
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Carbohydrates: ~70g
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GI: 70
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GL = (70 × 70) ÷ 100 = 49 (approx. 50)
2. Chana Flour (100 grams):
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Carbohydrates: ~60g
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GI: 28
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GL = (60 × 28) ÷ 100 = 16.8 (approx. 17)
Now, if you mix 90% wheat flour and 10% chana flour (a common practice), here's how the glycemic load changes:
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90g wheat → (90 × 50) ÷ 100 = 45
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10g chana → (10 × 17) ÷ 100 = 1.7
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Total GL for the mix = 46.7 (approx. 47)
So, compared to pure wheat flour (GL = 50), the wheat-chana mix has a slightly lower glycemic load (GL = 47). That’s only a 3-point difference, which doesn’t have a huge impact on blood sugar levels.
What Does This Mean for Diabetics?
This small difference in glycemic load means the wheat-chana flour mix is only slightly better than regular wheat flour. It won’t cause a big change in your blood sugar readings.
To truly help manage diabetes, you need foods with a low glycemic load — ideally under 20.
Diabexy Atta Light vs. Wheat-Chana Mix
When compared to Diabexy Atta Light, the wheat-chana mix falls short.
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Diabexy Atta Light has a glycemic load of ~12, which is significantly lower than both wheat (GL = 50) and wheat-chana mix (GL = 47).
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Why? Because it contains a smart combination of low-carb ingredients, high-quality proteins, healthy fats, and fiber that don’t spike blood sugar.
If you're trying to manage or reverse diabetes, switching to Diabexy low glycemic flour is a much more effective strategy.
Final Thoughts
While mixing chana with wheat flour is a healthier traditional practice, its benefit for diabetics is limited. The glycemic load reduction is minimal and won’t dramatically impact blood sugar levels.
If you're serious about managing diabetes, look for flours and foods with glycemic load below 20 — like Diabexy Atta Light — that support your goals more effectively.
Also, if you’d like to know the glycemic load of other foods or want help with your diabetes management plan, you can book a free consultation with our certified dieticians and doctors on www.diabexy.com.
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