Eating more refined grains increases risk of heart attack, early death
The researchers examined diets from diverse populations in low, middle and high-income countries.
- Date:
- February 19, 2021
- Source:
- Simon Fraser University
- Summary:
- A new study found consuming a high number of refined grains, such as croissants and white bread, is associated with a higher risk of major cardiovascular disease, stroke and early death.
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A new study published in The British Medical Journal by researchers including SFU health sciences professor Scott Lear found consuming a high number of refined grains, such as croissants and white bread, is associated with a higher risk of major cardiovascular disease, stroke and early death.
The Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study has been examining diets from diverse populations in low-, middle- and high-income countries around the world. Over 16 years of analysis of 137,130 participants in 21 countries, including Canada, the researchers found the intake of refined grains and added sugars have greatly increased over the years.
Grains were categorized into three groups: refined grains, whole grains and white rice. Refined grains included goods made with refined (e.g. white) flour, including white bread, pasta/noodles, breakfast cereals, crackers, and bakery products/desserts containing refined grains. Whole grains included whole grain flours (e.g. buckwheat) and intact or cracked whole grains (eg. steel cut oats).
The study found that having more than seven servings of refined grains per day was associated with a 27 per cent greater risk for early death, 33 percent greater risk for heart disease and 47 per cent greater risk for stroke.
"This study re-affirms previous work indicating a healthy diet includes limiting overly processed and refined foods," says Lear.
No significant adverse health effects were found with consuming whole grains or white rice.
The study suggests eating whole grain foods like brown rice and barley, and having fewer cereal grains and refined wheat products. Reducing one's overall consumption of refined grains and having better quality carbohydrates is essential for optimal health outcomes.
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Materials provided by Simon Fraser University. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Sumathi Swaminathan, Mahshid Dehghan, John Michael Raj, Tinku Thomas, Sumathy Rangarajan, David Jenkins, Prem Mony, Viswanathan Mohan, Scott A Lear, Alvaro Avezum, Patricio Lopez-Jaramillo, Annika Rosengren, Fernando Lanas, Khalid F AlHabib, Antonio Dans, Mirac Vural Keskinler, Thandi Puoane, Biju Soman, Li Wei, Katarzyna Zatonska, Rafael Diaz, Noorhassim Ismail, Jephat Chifamba, Roya Kelishadi, Afzalhussein Yusufali, Rasha Khatib, Liu Xiaoyun, Hu Bo, Romaina Iqbal, Rita Yusuf, Karen Yeates, Koon Teo, Salim Yusuf. Associations of cereal grains intake with cardiovascular disease and mortality across 21 countries in Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology study: prospective cohort study. BMJ, 2021; m4948 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.m4948
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