A study reveals that eating a lot of white rice is equally as dangerous for the heart as eating a lot of sugar.
Iranian researchers evaluated the risk of heart disease among individuals whose diets were high in refined grains against whole grains.
In middle age, those who consumed refined grains – grains that have been refined for a finer texture and longer shelf life – were more likely to develop coronary artery disease.
Dr. Mohammad Amin Khajavi Gaskarei, the lead author of the study, stated that a diet high in these grains was comparable to a diet high in junk food.
A diet high in refined grains and harmful grains is comparable to a diet high in unhealthy sweets and oils, according to him.
Due to the lack of fiber, refined grains are swiftly metabolized by the body, resulting in a post-meal rise in blood sugar levels.
Over time, high blood sugar can cause damage to blood vessels and the nerves that control the heart, as well as the formation of plaque on the artery walls.
Whole grains, such as brown rice, oats, and whole-wheat bread, include the full grain, as opposed to refined grains, which have been processed into flour or meal.
This is done to extend the shelf life of grains, but it results in the loss of vital nutrients. Many crackers, puddings, and pasta include refined grains as well.
The research compared 1,168 healthy participants to 1,369 patients with coronary artery disease.
A food frequency questionnaire was administered to participants to measure how frequently they consumed whole and processed grains.
A higher intake of refined grains was associated with an increased risk of PCAD, while a higher intake of whole grains was associated with a decreased risk.
Dr. Gaskarei stated, “As more studies reveal a rise in refined grain intake internationally, as well as the influence on general health, we must find strategies to encourage and educate people about the advantages of whole grain consumption.”
On October 7-9, 2022, in Dubai, the study will be presented at the American College of Cardiology Middle East 2022 Together with the 13th Emirates Cardiac Society Congress.
In the United States, a heart disease-related death occurs every 34 seconds, and it accounted for one in five deaths in 2020.
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most prevalent kind of heart disease, affecting 20,1 million US individuals aged 20 and older (more than 7 percent).
Less-than-65-year-old people accounted for around 20 percent of CAD-related fatalities in 2020.
Every eight minutes, one person in the United Kingdom dies from coronary artery disease, resulting in around 66,000 fatalities annually.
It kills twice as many women as breast cancer in the United Kingdom, and even more before the age of 75.
All adults should prioritize eating whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, sources of protein, and fish, according to the 2019 American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association guidelines for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.
