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Gribensk 3/22/12 Block 3 High-Glycemic Carbohydrates Lead to Heart Disease A recent Italian study has found that women with diets that are rich in high-glycemic carbohydrates double their risk of developing coronary heart disease. Coronary heart disease is a condition in which plaque builds up inside the coronary arteries. These arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to the muscle around your heart. High-glycemic carbohydrates include things like refined breads and pizza dough, bleached rice, and refined sugars. Many of their nutrient components are taken away since they are processed foods; therefore, they turn quickly into energy once in the body. This raises the blood sugar levels and causes build up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the blood.

Over 47,000 Italian adults were included in the study. They recorded results for seven years after which researchers concluded that women who had the highest glycemic intake were at the highest risk of developing coronary heart disease. Researchers are still unsure though as to why women are effected more than men.

A high consumption of carbohydrates from high-glycemic index foods, rather than the overall quantity of carbohydrates consumed, appears to influence the risk of developing coronary heart disease," explained study authors. They suspect that "good" cholesterol levels

are reduced with a high-glycemic diet.

High-glycemic foods in general are not healthy when eaten a lot because they raise blood sugar levels and can lead to diseases like diabetes. They also contribute to obesity because; high-glycemic foods are missing necessary nutrition and protein that have been removed during the processing and refining process. The more whole and complete a carbohydrate is, the better it is for the body.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is recommending that women eat more lowglycemic foods to fight their increased risk. "They could try broadening the types of bread and cereals they eat to include granary, rye or oat; including more beans, pulses; and accompanying meals with a good helping of fruit and vegetables," emphasized Victoria Taylor, Senior heart health Dietician at BHF.

It would benefit both men and women to take this advice and lower their intake of highglycemic foods. Instead, they should choose to eat whole foods that are rich in vital nutrients that maintain health and prevent disease.

Works Cited Huff, Ethan A. "High-glycemic Carbohydrates Lead to Heart Disease." Natural Health News. Truth Publishing International, LTD, June-July 2010. Web. 22 Mar. 2012. <http://www.naturalnews.com/029122_heart_disease_glycemic_index.html>.