We already know the dangers of cigarettes to our health but what we didn’t know was that white bread and rice could just be as harmful to our health as cigarettes.
According to a study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, consuming a diet with a high glycemic index increases the risk of lung cancer.
Some of the foods known to have a high glycemic index include white bread, corn flakes and puffed rice. Other foods with high glycemic index include popcorn, rice cakes bran flakes, instant oatmeal and pineapple.
The glycemic index measures how a carbohydrate-containing food raises blood glucose.
The study found that people who consumed high glycemic index diets had a 49% higher risk of lung cancer when compared with those with the lowest daily glycemic index.
The researchers suggest cutting out foods with high glycemic index could reduce a person’s risk of developing lung cancer.
1,905 patients newly diagnosed with lung cancer were surveyed by a team of scientists and results gotten were compared with 2,413 healthy individuals.
Senior study author Dr Xifeng Wu said:
“The results from this study suggest that, besides maintaining healthy lifestyles, such as avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol consumption and being physically active, reducing the consumption of foods and beverages with high glycemic index may serve as a means to lower the risk of lung cancer.”
S.O.Z