Israeli scientists have demonstrated how carbohydrate-rich foods – such as bread or cornflakes – can increase the risk for heart disease.
The study was conducted by specialists from Tel Aviv Universitys Sackler School of Medicine and the Heart Institute of Sheba Medical Center using 56 healthy volunteers.
Participants were divided into four groups – one which ate a cornflake mush mixed with milk, another one which ingested a pure sugar mixture, the third consuming bran flakes, and the placebo group which was given water.
After four weeks, the researchers tested the volunteers using a cuff on the arm, like those used to measure blood pressure, to visualize arterial function in real time.
They found that before eating, the patients arterial function was similar. However, afterwards, except for the placebo group, all had reduced functioning due to distended brachial arteries for several hours.
“We knew high glycemic foods were bad for the heart. Now we have a mechanism that shows how,” says Dr. Shechter.
Other risks for heart disease include a high-fat diet that may increase the level of LDL cholesterol which over time forms plaques that can block arteries.
In addition to cutting out the carbs, those who would like to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease may also consider nutritional supplements containing fish oil. 