Alarming results from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center studies revealed that certain carb-rich foods may increase lung cancer risk by 49 percent, according to the HUFFPOST 50. These carbs include bagels, white bread, baguettes and white rice.
Regardless of whether or not you are a smoker, there is an increase of lung cancer risk associated with these high glycemic index foods, meaning foods that raise the blood sugar the most.
The leading author of the study, Xifeng Wu, stated, “We observed a 49 percent increased risk of lung cancer among subjects with the highest daily glycemic index, compared to those with the lowest glycemic index.”
There were 1,095 participants in the study that had recently been diagnosed with lung cancer, along with 2,413 people who were healthy. Those participating provided the researchers with eating habits and health history and then were studied based upon their glycemic index and carb intake. It was concluded that it was not the glycemic load that increased the risk of lung cancer, but it was actually what was being ingested, meaning processed carbs.
According to the American Cancer Society, there are 150,000 new diagnoses each year making lung cancer one of the deadliest diseases in the United States. Although smoking is a leading cause, carb intake has become a serious concern due to this new study. According to this research, smokers are still at the greatest risk with a 31 percent increased chance of contracting lung cancer than nonsmokers.
