A new study conducted by Simon Fraser University that was published in The British Medical Journal, found consuming more refined grains such as white bread, croissants, and crackers is associated with an increased risk of stroke, major cardiovascular disease and early death.
We have all known for years that eating a clean balanced diet rich in plant based foods of fruits and vegetables , with a proportioned amount of meat and whole grains leads to the best health outcomes.
The items lacking with the least amount of nutrition and more processed overall seemed to always rank the lowest in terms of health. These foods seemed to be among the worse for you and contributed the most towards circulatory and respiratory deficits.
The Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study has been involved with examining diets from varied populations in all income level countries across the world for over 16 years. The analysis included 137,130 participants from 21 countries, including Canada and found that an increase of intake of refined grains and sugars have greatly increased over the years.
They categorized grains into three groups; whole grains, refined grains and white rice. Whole grains included whole grain flours, like buckwheat or cracked whole grains like, steel cut oats and others. Refined grains included all goods made from refined white flour, like pasta, noodles, crackers, baked products and deserts, breakfast cereals.
The study concluded that having more than 7 servings of refined grains per day was associated with a 47% greater risk of stroke, 33% higher risk of heart disease and 27% greater risk of early death.
The researchers agreed that the study re-affirms their previous findings that a limited and reduced amount of refined or processed grains is paramount in a healthy diet.
There were no significant harmful health effects shown from eating whole grains or white rice.
This study suggests to be more selective with our carbohydrate choices. Eating some whole grain foods that included brown rice, barley while reducing and eliminating cereal grains, crackers and all refined wheat products is essential in maintaining optimal brain and body health.
-A balanced brain is a well nourished brain-