White bread increases cancer risk
October 21, 2006
Eating lots of white bread raises the risk of a cancer that kills thousands of Britons every year, according to new research.
Those who eat five slices a day are almost twice as likely to develop the most common form of kidney cancer compared to those who have one and a half slices.
Scientists put the cause down to refined cereals triggering a surge in blood sugar and insulin levels, which is thought to fuel cancer cell growth.
People should particularly cut down on white bread, which causes the biggest rise in blood glucose levels, and opt for wholemeal varieties instead.
Whole grain foods are classed as having a low GI value as they lead to slower release of sugar into the blood stream.
The researchers from the Institute of Pharmacological Research in Milan, Italy studied more than 2300 Italians - 767 who had the disease and 1534 who did not - and asked them detailed information about their diet in the previous two years.
The study did not specify what type of bread people ate.
However, overall those in the group that ate the most bread - equivalent to 35 slices weekly or five a day - were almost twice as likely to develop the cancer as those who had just 11 slices a week- around one and a half a day.
Foods with a high GI cause a dramatic rise in blood sugar levels which leads to the release of insulin and in turn chemicals that can fuel cell growth.
"On the basis of the study we can also suggest reducing the consumption of refined cereals and increase that of whole grain ones," she added.
- Source: The Daily Mail, Oct. 20, 2006
