Credit: Kirk McKoy / Contributor / Getty
Long avoided by dieters and health-conscious eaters in general, carbs are rapidly building an even greater negative reputation after a newly-released study suggests that highly-processed carbs might be linked to an increased cancer risk.
Participants in the nearly 50 years-long study who regularly consumed processed carbohydrates (pizza, burgers, meat sandwiches) were three times more likely to be diagnosed with cancer. This increased risk was especially high with cases of prostate cancer, which is the number one non-skin cancer risk for men in America.
There’s good news though. The study also found that healthy lower-glycemic carbohydrate options (whole grains, legumes, fruits, and non-starchy vegetables) actually reduced the risk of cancer by 32 percent, especially obesity-related cancers like breast, prostate, and colorectal.
While the study is not without its flaws–the researchers themselves point out that the test group was not racially diverse, and these are more associations rather than cause-and-effect–it does seem to line up with previous cancer research findings.
What You Can Do Right Now: Avoiding highly-processed carbs doesn’t mean completely changing your diet. Just make simple swaps to healthier carb alternatives. Making smarter carb choices can be as easy as choosing whole-grain bread over white, skipping chip snacking for a high-fiber option like nuts, or even reaching for a nice wine nightcap over beer.
Keep Reading:
- How to Make Good Carb Choices Throughout the Day
- Best and Worst Carbs for a Balanced Diet
- 5 Smart Carb Swaps
from Simmer and Boil http://ift.tt/20loi5p via Continued
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