The number of heart disease patients in Korea has increased over the past five years
Whole grains prevent heart disease
“It is beneficial for waist circumference, blood sugar and blood pressure control”
Eat at least half your grains a day
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[헤럴드경제=육성연 기자] Heart disease is a disease of worldwide concern to the extent that the World Health Organization (WHO) lists it as the leading cause of death due to disease.
In Korea, as a result of a survey by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of patients with heart diseases such as heart failure, angina pectoris, and myocardial infarction increased by 16.9% over the past five years (2016-2021).
In particular, when heart health declines with age, the red light on brain health also turns on. A study published in the international medical journal ‘The Lancet Healthy Longevity’ found that after the age of 36, the worse the heart health, the worse the brain health.
Like other adult diseases, diet also affects heart disease. A study published in JACC (2015), the official journal of the American Heart Association, found that a healthy diet that includes fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and fish could reduce the risk of heart disease by more than 30%. ‘Whole grains’ are considered to be the best food for heart health among foods that make up a healthy diet.
According to a study by Tufts University in the United States published in The Journal of Nutrition (2021), data was analyzed from 3121 people between 1971 and 2014. The waist circumference increased by only 0.5 inches. Blood sugar levels and blood pressure also increased less than the average group. Waist circumference and high blood sugar levels and blood pressure are important factors that increase the risk of heart disease.
“Whole grains provide health benefits beyond helping middle-aged people manage their weight,” the researchers said.
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According to nutritionists, the fiber and various nutrients in whole grains work together to optimize your energy. Magnesium and potassium in whole grains can help lower blood pressure, and whole grains are a great source of B vitamins, which help your cells metabolize energy and function at their best. Dietary fiber can help prevent blood sugar spikes after a meal.
Refined carbohydrates, on the other hand, are very low in nutrients and fiber and cause blood sugar to rise quickly. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) suggests eating at least half of your daily grain intake for whole grains.
When you think of whole grains, you often think of brown rice, but recently there have been more varieties of whole grains, so you can choose according to your taste. In particular, oats, known as the king of grains, are the representative whole grains recommended by many nutritionists as they were chosen as one of the top 10 superfoods by the Harvard Public Health Institute in the United States in 2019. Option another is to use whole grain products, such as oatmeal or granola made from oats, or whole wheat pasta or rye bread.
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