Many varieties of Triticum aesitivum L. (Bread wheat) and Zea maize L. (maize) have been developed in Pakistan, which are randomly consumed by normal individuals and diabetic patients. In this study, 17 wheat and 9 maize varieties were tested for starch composition, glycemic index, radical scavenging activities, and lipid profile. Among various wheat samples, KPK15 was observed to have highest 2,2‐diphenyl‐1picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity, while CZP132011 was highest radical scavenger among various maize samples. Glycemic index of wheat varieties varied between 62.83 ± 2.19 and 70.70 ± 2.82 in Hashim10 and Insaf, respectively, while for maize it ranged between 56.45 ± 1.95 in Sarhad white and 70.76 ± 4.40 in CHT1W. In most of the varieties, a linear correlation was observed between glycemic index and amylose contents. The data show that KPK15 and Saleem 2000 are the best wheat varieties while Sarhad white is the best among maize samples to be consumed by normal individuals and diabetic patients. Practical applications Wheat and maize are the most widely used cereal crops being consumed randomly both by normal individuals and diabetic patients. Diabetes is characterized by hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and high oxidative stress. Diet and nutrition play an important role in the development and control of diabetes. In this research, we attempted to find out the best wheat and maize varieties for diabetic patients from locally grown genotypes.

Objective: The objective was to study the association of Klotho gene G395A and C1818T single nucleotide polymorphisms with glycemia, serum, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the Pashtun population of Pakistan. Methods: In this study, 195 normal individuals and 217 T2DM patients were enrolled. All subjects were divided into three groups, namely overall subjects (control + T2DM patients), control individuals and T2DM patients, and their fasting glucose, HbA1c level, lipid profile and C1818T and G395A polymorphisms were determined. Results: The allele frequencies of G395A in overall subjects were 0.568 for A and 0.432 for G. Similarly, allele frequencies for G395A in overall subjects were 0.597 and 0.403 for C and T alleles, respectively. The AA genotype of G395A was observed to be a risk factor for T2DM. In normal individuals, no significant (p > 0.05) association was observed between klotho C1818T and G395A polymorphisms and hyperglycemia. In overall subjects, the C1818T polymorphism was associated (p < 0.05) with high fasting glucose and HbA1c levels in female subjects only. In T2DM patients, both C1818T and G395A polymorphisms were found to be significantly (p < 0.05) associated with high fasting glucose and HbA1c levels both in males and females. Conclusion: The G395A polymorphism was observed to increase the risk of T2DM. Both C1818T and G395 were associated with high fasting glucose and HbA1c levels in T2DM patients.