Pasta Not Linked to Obesity, Sauces Have more Affect

It's not the pasta that's fattening, it's the sauce. That's the conclusion of Italian researchers who now say pasta--in moderation--can be part of a healthy, balanced diet. According to UPI, researchers at the Neuromed Mediterranean Neurological Institute said their findings suggest pasta consumption is associated with a lower body mass index, or BMI. After reviewing the data from two significant epidemiological studies, researchers determined that pasta consumption was not linked to a higher rate of obesity. In fact, they found the opposite. Some carb-friendly nutritionists say if there is a problem with pasta, it's that it's too often a vehicle for overly salty, sugary, and fatty sauces. The research was published this week in the Nature journal Nutrition & Diabetes.