Cross-sectional studycited by the Tayebat archiveabstract only checked A-WHT-06 standard review
Glycaemic load and an inflammation marker
Relation between a diet with a high glycemic load and plasma concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in middle-aged women.
Overview
Liu S et al.. Am J Clin Nutr 2002 · PMID 11864854 · DOI 10.1093/ajcn/75.3.492
Women with high GL diets had higher CRP.
Does the study support the specific claim? Unclear · Methodological quality: low
Plain-language summary
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
GL and CRP
- How was the study done?
Cross-sectional
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
244 women
- What was actually found?
Higher CRP with higher GL
- How large was the observed effect?
3.8 vs 1.4 mg/L
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
Small hint only
- What are the study's limitations?
Small, one time point
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
Not about white flour specifically
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
Limited
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
Disease effects
Scientific in-depth review
1. Full reference
- Authors
- Liu S, Manson JE, Buring JE, Stampfer MJ, Willett WC, Ridker PM
- Journal
- Am J Clin Nutr
- Year
- 2002
- Identifier
- PMID 11864854 DOI 10.1093/ajcn/75.3.492
- Verification
- verified – PubMed E-utilities efetch, 2026-10-25
- Retracted
- no
- Corrections
- none
- Extent checked
- abstract only
- Conflicts of interest and funding
None stated; NIH grants.
2. Research question
GL and hs-CRP
3. Study design and population
- Study design
- Cross-sectional study – Cross-sectional analysis within a trial cohort (Women's Health Study sample)
- Population
244 healthy women
- Country
USA
- Period
not stated in abstract
- Sample size
244
- Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Apparently healthy
4. Methods and endpoints
- Exposure / intervention
Dietary GL (FFQ)
- Comparator
Lowest quintile
- Endpoints
Plasma hs-CRP
- Statistical methods
Multiple regression
5. Actual results
- Results
Median hs-CRP 1.9 vs 3.7 mg/L lowest vs highest GL quintile; adjusted geometric means 1.4 vs 3.8 mg/L (P trend <0.01); modified by BMI.
- Absolute risks
not applicable
- Authors' conclusion
GL positively associated with hs-CRP; inflammation may be a mechanism.
6. Strengths
- Biomarker measured
7. Weaknesses
- Small, cross-sectional
- Surrogate outcome
8. Risk of bias
- Orienting tool
- ROBINS-E
- Type of assessment
- simplified assessment (abstract only)
- Full formal assessment
- no
- Overall risk of bias
- high
- Rationale
Cross-sectional, small.
9. Assessment of the statistical interpretation
Association with a biomarker only.
10. Relevance to the specific claim
Indirect for C-WHT-05.
11. Independent contrary findings
12. Transferability to Germany and Europe
Limited.
13. Overall methodological judgement
Weak mechanistic hint.
| Multidimensional assessment | |
|---|---|
| Authenticity of the source | verified |
| Methodological quality | low |
| Risk of bias | high |
| Precision of results | low |
| Directness | indirect |
| Reproducibility | unknown |
| Consistency with the overall evidence | unknown |
| Regional transferability | moderate |
| Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive) | not applicable |
14. Open questions
15. Linked fact checks
Use by the Tayebat archive
Note: according to the archive, the studies were compiled by the archive operators. Whether Dr. Elawady himself cited this study is not established.
- What the archive says about the study
Listed in bibliography only.
- A. What was actually studied?
GL and CRP.
- B. What did the authors find?
Positive association.
- C. What conclusions do the authors themselves draw?
Possible inflammatory mechanism.
- D. What does the archive derive from it?
Implicitly: refined carbs inflame.
- E. Is this derivation scientifically justified?
Weak, indirect support; not wheat-specific.
- Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive)
- not applicable