Carbs Raise Heart Disease Risk

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.”