Posted on Apr 29, 2010, 6 a.m.
Women consuming a diet rich in simple carbohydrates, which are quickly transformed into sugar in the blood, may be at increased risk of heart disease.
In that dietary glycemic load and glycemic index have been postulated as contributors to cardiovascular disease, researchers at Italy's National Cancer Institute investigated dietary patterns of 15,171 men and 32,578 women, who were followed for nearly eight years. The researchers found that those women who consumed the most carbohydrates were at a two-fold greater incidence heart disease, as compared to those who consumed the least carbs. Further detailed analysis showed that the risk was specifically associated with higher intake of high-glycemic foods, that is – simple carbohydrates. The team concludes that: “High dietary [glycemic load] and carbohydrate intake from high-[glyemic index] foods increase the overall risk of [coronary heart disease] in women.”
Sabina Sieri; Vittorio Krogh; Franco Berrino; Alberto Evangelista; Claudia Agnoli; Furio Brighenti; Nicoletta Pellegrini; Domenico Palli; Giovanna Masala; Carlotta Sacerdote; Fabrizio Veglia; Rosario Tumino; Graziella Frasca; Sara Grioni; Valeria Pala; Amalia Mattiello; Paolo Chiodini; Salvatore Panico. “Dietary Glycemic Load and Index and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease in a Large Italian Cohort: The EPICOR Study.” Arch Intern Med. 2010;170(7):640-647.