Love pasta & pastries? Overindulgence can up the risk of premature heart disease, says study

Indulging in your favourite food is normal, but doing so in moderation is key.

Consuming refined grains daily can increase the chances of developing premature heart disease. According to a new study, higher consumption of refined grains may up the risk of premature coronary artery disease (PCAD).

Narrowing of coronary arteries in men and women who are aged under 45 and 55, respectively, can cause PCAD. When the blood flow to the heart muscle gets reduced due to the build-up of plaque (atherosclerosis) in the arteries, people suffer from coronary artery disease (CAD).

Some of the risk factors include smoking, hypertension (or high blood pressure), high cholesterol and diabetes. Initially an asymptomatic condition, the disease later leads to chest pain (angina), heart attack with stenosis (rapid development of narrowing) or plaque rupture of the arterial wall.

From sweet to savoury, refined grains, also known as refined carbs, include most of our guilty-pleasure food items. Some of the most commonly consumed refined grain food items include white rice, white bread, refined flour (maida), white pasta, noodles and baked potato chips, among others. Most breakfast cereals also contain refined grains.

People who have a sweet tooth must also stay away from bagels, cakes, waffles and pastries. Also stay clear of smoothies, flavoured yoghurt and sports drinks.

The study will be presented at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) Middle East 2022, in collaboration with the 13th Emirates Cardiac Society Congress in Dubai, UAE from October 7-9. The study was conducted with 2,099 PCAD patients, who underwent coronary angiography, in different cities and ethnicities across Iran.

While 1,168 patients with normal coronary arteries were put in the control group, around 1,369 CAD patients with obstruction equal to or above 75 per cent in at least a single coronary artery or less than or equal to 50 per cent in the left main coronary artery made up the case group.

The participants were evaluated based on a food frequency questionnaire for dietary assessments. This questionnaire helped evaluate dietary behaviours and evaluate the association between whole grain and refined grain intake and the risk of PCAD in individuals without a prior diagnosis of heart disease.

After adjusting for confounders, the findings revealed that a higher intake of refined grains was associated with an increased risk of PCAD, while whole grain intake was inversely related to a reduced risk of PCAD.

"A diet that includes consuming a high amount of unhealthy and refined grains can be considered similar to consuming a diet containing a lot of unhealthy sugars and oils," said the lead author of the study, Mohammad Amin Khajavi Gaskarei from Isfahan University of Medical Sciences.

The findings indicate that eating refined grains was associated with an increased risk of premature heart disease, while wholegrain consumption showed reduced risk.

Whole grains are considered a 'complete package' when health benefits are concerned. Having grains such as brown rice, oats, barley, rye and corn in their whole form is a healthy alternative to refined grains.