Carbs in the form of breads, pastas and cereals could increase the risk of cancer, according to findings being presented at the American Society for Nutrition Scientific Sessions at the Experimental Biology 2016 in San Diego, California.
Their suggestions are that eating sugary drinks and processed lunch items can double or even triple the chances of developing prostate cancer, while also eating fruit, vegetables and legumes as these can cut the risk of cancer by two thirds.
Prostate cancer is a common form of cancer and amongst men this is the second leading cause of cancer-related death. Research has previously shown that excessively eating refined carbohydrates can have a number of negative side effects. This is due to the impact on the body fat levels and the dysregulation of insulin, the two of which are potential factors in raising the risk of cancer.
Bad carbs have also been linked with an 88% increase in prostate cancer according to data that looked at the consumption of processed carbohydrates and the development of prostate cancer. Consuming foods with a high glycemic load (GL) has been correlated with an 88% higher prostate cancer risk, while consuming low-GI foods is associated with lower risk of breast cancer.
What may be most surprising is that the researchers found that ‘good’ carbs can offer protection against a wide range of health problems and those who ate the most legumes had a lowered risk (32%) of breast, prostate and colorectal cancers. Legumes are considered a healthy source of carbohydrates and eating more of these is recommended instead of the starchy kind found in breads, pastas, cereals and other kinds of grains. Avoiding grains and starches is therefore highly recommended for anyone who wants to get healthy.
