MILAN, ITALY - At the conference organized by Oldways, the International Pasta Organization and AIDEPI last October 25-27 in Milan as part of the V World Pasta Congress, a group of international committee of scientists and food authorities gathered and released a Scientific Consensus Statement  qualifying pasta as a healthy complex carbohydrate.

Scientists from Argentina, Brazil, France, Greece, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, and U.S. exchanged data regarding their latest analysis on carbohydrates, nutrition, health and pasta. The research was summed up in a scientific agreement that may be useful to doctors, health professionals, dietitians, scientists, media, the food industry and consumers.

According to the president of Oldways Sara Baer- Sinnott, "One of the important findings is that the actual process of making pasta creates a lower glycemic food that is slowly digested and helps control blood sugar and weight, differentiating it from other carbohydrates."

Durum and water oftentimes are just the two ingredients which pasta is made of, have likewise low environmental impact was also emphasized in the conference. Although the subject was lately taken away from consideration from the USDA Dietary Guidelines, scientists considered the importance of the approach in sustainability.

"Today, consumers are confronted with not just nutritional choices when it comes to food, but those that impact the environment and culture," added Baer-Sinnott.

The research was reevaluated on what would be the best dietary approach for wellbeing and how pasta plays the role by David Katz, MD, Founding Director, Yale University Prevention Research Center.

 "If what we mean by best diet is a basic dietary pattern, then, yes, absolutely we can say what's best - a plant-based diet, real food, close to nature," said Katz. "You don't have to eat pasta to have an optimal diet and optimal health but you can. And since you can, why wouldn't you?"

Among the key conclusions from the Consensus Statement include: 

• Scientific research increasingly supports the importance of total diet, rather than individual foods.
• Many clinical trials confirm that excess calories, and not carbohydrates, are responsible for obesity.
• Pasta is satiating and keeps you fuller longer.
• Pasta is an affordable, healthy choice available in almost all societies.
• Pasta is a key component of many of the world's traditional healthy eating patterns, such as the scientifically-proven Mediterranean Diet.
• Healthy pasta meals are a delicious way to eat more vegetables, legumes and other healthy foods often under-consumed.
• Pasta meals are enjoyed in cultural traditions worldwide.
• The general population can eat pasta and should not choose a gluten-free product if not affected by a gluten-related disorder correctly diagnosed.
• Pasta consumption is suitable for people who do physical exercise and particularly in sports.
• Pasta is a simple plant-based food and has a low environmental impact.
• Doctors, nutritionists and other health professionals should educate the consumer to choose varied and balanced pasta meals for good health.