Bread's Hidden Metabolic Effect: Slower Burn, More Fat in Mice

A mouse study from Osaka Metropolitan University found that higher bread and wheat flour intake reduced overall energy expenditure and activated genes that convert carbohydrates to fat, leading to weight and fat gain even with similar calorie intake. The effects were most evident with bread, were reversible when the diet returned to a non-wheat mix, and appeared more in males. While suggestive, researchers caution that human relevance is not yet proven and plan future studies on whole grains, fiber, and meal timing to clarify metabolic responses to carbohydrates.