White rice and pasta are just as bad for your heart as sweets.
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Eating a lot of white rice is just as bad for your heart in the long run as eating a lot of candy, according to a study.
Researchers from Iran studied the risk of heart disease in people whose diets were high in refined grains compared to whole grains. Those who ate refined grains processed for a finer texture and longer shelf life were found to be more likely to develop coronary heart disease in middle age.
Study lead author Dr. Mohammad Amin Hajawi Gascarey said the harm caused by a diet high in these grains is similar to eating a lot of unhealthy foods.
Refined grains are quickly broken down by the body because they lack fiber, resulting in a spike in blood sugar levels after a meal. Over time, high sugar levels can damage the blood vessels and nerves that control the heart and cause plaque to form on the walls of arteries. Whole grains such as brown rice, oatmeal, and whole grain bread contain whole grains, while refined grains have been milled, meaning they have been ground into flour. This is done to extend the shelf life, but in the process, the grains lose key nutrients. Many crackers, puddings, and spreads are also made with refined grains.
The study involved 1168 healthy patients and compared them with 1369 patients with coronary artery disease. Participants completed a meal frequency questionnaire to determine how often they ate whole and refined grains. A higher intake of refined grains was associated with a higher risk of heart disease, while eating more whole grains was associated with a lower risk.
The study will be presented at the American College of Cardiology Middle East this year at the 13th Congress of the Emirates Cardiology Society in Dubai on October 7-9, 2022.
Every 34 seconds, one person dies from heart disease in the US alone, and in 2020 it was the cause of one in five deaths.
Coronary artery disease (CHD) is the most common type of heart disease, affecting 20.1 million American adults (over 7 percent) aged 20 years and older. In 2020, approximately two out of 10 CHD deaths occurred in adults under the age of 65.
In the UK, one person dies every eight minutes from coronary artery disease, resulting in approximately 66,000 deaths per year. The disease kills twice as many women in the UK as breast cancer before their 75th birthday.
The 2019 American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association guidelines for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease state that all adults should focus on eating whole grains, as well as vegetables, fruits, nuts, protein sources, and fish.
Christina DENYSYUK
Photo: Shutterstock / Amarita
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