White rice and pasta are just as bad for your heart as CANDY, study finds
- Refined grains increase the amount of fat in the blood known as triglycerides
- This can clog blood vessels and increase the chance of coronary artery disease
- However, whole grain products can reduce the risk, researchers from Iran found
According to a study, eating a lot of white rice over a long period of time is just as harmful to the heart as eating a lot of sweets.
Researchers in Iran looked at the risk of heart disease in people whose diets were high in refined grains compared to whole grains.
They found that those who ate refined grains – processed to give them a finer texture and longer shelf life – were more likely to develop coronary artery disease in middle age.
The lead author of the study, Dr. Mohammad Amin Khajavi Gaskarei said the damage done by eating a diet high in these grains is similar to eating a lot of junk food.
“A diet that involves eating a large amount of unhealthy and refined grains can be viewed as similar to a diet that is high in unhealthy sugars and oils,” he said.
Refined grains are quickly broken down by the body because they have been deprived of fiber, causing blood sugar levels to spike after eating.
Over time, high blood sugar can damage the blood vessels and nerves that control the heart and cause plaque to form in the artery walls.
Refined grains can be likened to sugary foods like candy, researchers from Iran have suggested. Many cereals, crackers, and pasta are made from refined grains
Whole grains like brown rice, oats, and whole grain breads contain the whole grain, while refined grains have been ground, meaning ground into flour or semolina.
This is done to extend shelf life, but means the grains lose important nutrients in the process. Many crackers, puddings, and pastas are also made from refined grains.
The study looked at 1,168 healthy patients and compared them to 1,369 patients with coronary artery disease.
Participants completed a food frequency questionnaire to determine how often they ate whole grains and refined grains.
Higher consumption of refined grains was associated with a higher risk of PCAD, while consumption of more whole grains presented a lower risk.
dr Gaskarei said, “As more studies show an increase in the consumption of refined grains worldwide, as well as the impact on overall health, it’s important that we find ways to encourage and educate people about the benefits of eating whole grains.”
The study will be presented at the American College of Cardiology Middle East 2022 along with the 13th Emirates Cardiac Society Congress, 7-9 October 2022 in Dubai.
In the United States, one person dies every 34 seconds from heart disease, which accounted for one in five deaths in 2020.
Coronary artery disease (CHD) is the most common type of heart disease, affecting 20.1 million US adults (more than 7 percent) ages 20 and older.
In 2020, approximately two in ten deaths from CAD occurred in adults under the age of 65.
In the UK, one person dies from CAD every eight minutes, causing around 66,000 deaths annually.
It kills twice as many women in the UK as breast cancer and kills even more women before their 75th birthday.
The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association’s 2019 guideline on primary prevention of cardiovascular disease states that all adults should focus on eating whole grains, as well as vegetables, fruits, nuts, protein sources, and fish.
Coronary artery disease (CHD) clogs blood vessels and can lead to angina pectoris, stroke or heart attack
Coronary artery disease occurs when the large blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the heart become damaged.
CHD affects more than 1.6 million men and 1 million women in the UK and a total of 15 million adults in the US.
It is usually due to plaque and inflammation.
As plaque builds up, it narrows the arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart.
Over time, this can lead to angina, while complete blockage can lead to a heart attack.
Many people have no symptoms initially, but as the plaque builds up, they may notice chest pain or shortness of breath when they exercise or are stressed.
Other causes of CHD include smoking, diabetes and an inactive lifestyle.
It can be prevented by quitting smoking, controlling diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure, staying active, eating well, and managing stress.
Medications can help lower cholesterol, while aspirin thins the blood to reduce the risk of blood clots.
In severe cases, stents can be placed in the arteries to open them, while coronary artery bypass surgery uses a graft to bypass the blocked arteries with a vessel from another part of the body.
Source: Mayo Clinic