Is Sugar the New Smoking Gun?
- aebiscc1
- Mar 9, 2016
- 2 min read
The more we learn about added sugar, the scarier it gets. A new study, published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, reports that eating high-glycemic foods (which raise blood sugar levels quickly) may increase your risk of developing lung cancer.
Scientists discovered that a diet with a high glycemic index was independently linked with an increased risk – we’re talking a 49 percent greater risk! – of developing lung cancer. When we think of lung cancer, we automatically associate it with smoking, but this study shows that cigarettes aren’t the only problem. In fact, “the associations (between high-glycemic foods and lung cancer) were more pronounced among subjects who were never smokers,” according to the lead study author Xifeng Wu, M.D., Ph.P., in a press release.
It may seem daunting to cut back or cut out foods that are beloved staples in so many of our diets, but instead of thinking of it in terms of losing or sacrificing high-glycemic foods, think of the benefits you’ll reap. High-glycemic foods, like white bread, candy and baked goods, really don’t provide nutritional value. They’re over-processed and, let’s be honest, never actually satisfy. If anything, they leave you hungrier and craving more of that sugary fix. Plus, the chronic inflammation they promote and minerals, vitamins, fiber and antioxidants they lack is a lose-lose situation.
Whole grain and high-fiber choices not only kick your hunger to the curb, but they also provide the nutrients your body craves. Overall, carbs have a negative connotation, but there’s nothing to feel guilty about when you choose smart options. Personally, I love a slice or two of Ezekiel bread, made from sprouted grains and seeds. Not only is there no added sugar (because why is sugar ever added to bread?), but it’s also high in protein and fiber. The best part? It actually looks like real food. I can recognize the ingredients, and I don’t need a magnifying glass to do so.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both women and men. Maybe it’s time we start treating the sugar industry like the tobacco industry.
Image courtesy of fashionlifeonline.com
Comments