Fried Genes & Gravy
From the Americas up through Europe, everyone enjoys a
hearty meal of greens, cornbread and gravy. However, a change in menu
selections may be in order, due to recent findings that fried foods may
interact with our genes.
Why is this information important?
Well if you ever wondered which relative you inherited your
body shape and weight from--- look to how much fried foods were consume in your
Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women's
Hospital and Harvard Medical School researchers are in consensus that we are
genetically predisposed to obesity. This predisposition makes us more
susceptible to the adverse effects of eating fried foods, if this pattern of
eating is in your family tree.
The study shows that eating fried food more than four times
a week had twice as big an effect on body mass index (BMI). This means that the
genetic makeup of an individual can drive up the effects of bad diet.
The researchers do state that their findings are not all
conclusive and may have been affected by other unknown factors. But they are
quick to point out that it is important to look at genetic information when
conducting obesity studies and treatment.
On a similar note the International American Stroke
Association's presentation at the annual conference 2012-21points out that
fried fatty foods, sugary drinks and salty consumables can lead too a higher
stroke risk. While this data is not based on genetics, it is based on a family
pattern of eating geographical southern-style cuisines.