Consuming carbohydrates, which quickly raise blood glucose levels, appears to be associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease in women, reports the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Foods that quickly raise blood glucose levels are said to have a high glycemic index. These include, for example, sugar, bread, potatoes, pizza and rice.
Italian scientists analyzed long-term data on more than 47 people (000 Italians and 15 Italians). They found that women whose diets consisted mainly of foods with a high glycemic index were twice as likely to develop coronary heart disease as those who chose foods with lower index values.
It is not yet known why the risk of coronary heart disease is associated with carbohydrates with a high glycemic index rather than with the amount of carbohydrates in general. It is also difficult to explain why women are at risk, not men (more research is needed) – perhaps it is related to lowering good cholesterol levels. In any case, products that release energy slowly, i.e. those with a low glycemic index – such as pasta, rye bread or oatmeal, seem to be safe for the heart (PAP).