Research has established: white rice is just as harmful to our heart as sweets
Disturbing news for rice lovers: a new study has found that eating too much refined grain is just as harmful to the heart as eating too much candy.
But don't worry, there is a worthy replacement
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10/25/2022
Tuesday, October 25, 2022, 11:57 p.m
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The right way to make perfect rice (photo: Yossi Tsipkis directed by: Guy Goren)
White rice is just as harmful to our heart as sweets, according to a new study that managed to surprise many health enthusiasts.
The report, which investigated the eating habits and health history of Iranians, found that the risk of premature coronary artery disease (PCAD, a disease caused by the gradual narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle), as a result of eating refined grains that include white rice, is similar to the risk of the disease from eating unrefined sugars and oils. Healthy indulging in sweet treats.
The Daily Mail reported that the study focused on a group of about 2,500 people, some with normal arteries and some with coronary artery disease. Each participant answered a food frequency questionnaire to determine how often they ate whole and refined grains. The
researchers found that a higher intake of refined grains is associated with an increased risk of PCAD, while eating whole grains is associated with a reduced risk.
White rice is bad for heart health - just like candy.
Switch to whole rice (Photo: ShutterStock)
The grains are "refined" when processed into flour or meal, which gives them a finer texture and longer shelf life, but the process removes some key nutrients.
However, whole grains, such as whole grain rice and whole wheat bread, contain the whole grain.
"There are many factors involved in why people may consume more refined grains than whole grains. Some of the most important factors to consider include the economy and income, work, education, culture, age and other similar factors," said Dr. Mohammad Amin Hajawi Gascarai, the lead author of the study.
"A diet that includes a high intake of unhealthy and displaced grains can be considered similar to a diet that contains a lot of unhealthy sugars and fats," he continued.
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Refined grains are broken down quickly by the body because they've been stripped of fiber, leading to a spike in blood sugar after a meal, according to the CDC.
Over time, high blood sugar can damage the blood vessels and nerves that control the heart and cause plaque to form on the artery walls.
A 2019 report from the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association recommends a diet that emphasizes consumption of vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, and fish to reduce heart disease risk factors.
"While more research is demonstrating an increase in refined grain consumption worldwide, as well as its impact on overall health, it is important that we find ways to encourage and educate people about the benefits of consuming whole grains," Gascarai added, "Tactics to consider include teaching better dietary choices in schools and in other public places in plain language that the general population can understand, as well as on television programs and by continuing high-level research presented at medical conferences and published in medical journals. Doctors must also have these conversations with each other and with their patients."
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