A study from Gifu University indicates that a diet rich in rice might benefit heart health in the Japanese population.
Given that rice is a staple food in Japan, this research may help to explain the longer life expectancy and lower risk of death from heart disease, particularly coronary heart disease, in Japanese people compared to those in Western countries.
Researchers from Gifu University examined the connection between consuming rice as a main dish and the risk of death from heart disease, compared with eating bread and noodles.
The study involved 13,355 men and 15,724 women aged 35 years and older, all participants in the Takayama Study. Dietary intake was assessed using a food questionnaire.
The results indicated that for men, frequent rice consumption was linked to lower heart disease. However, no strong association was found in women.
Rice intake was associated with higher consumption of soy products and seaweed and a lower intake of meat and eggs.
Interestingly, neither bread nor noodles were found to be associated with the risk of death from heart disease.
Implications and Future Directions
Based on these findings, the researchers suggest that in Japan, opting for rice as a main dish is likely to be accompanied by healthier side dishes, which may assist in preventing heart disease.
If you are interested in heart health, please refer to studies that suggest yogurt may help lower the risk of death from heart disease and natural coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more information about health, please see recent studies indicating that Vitamin D deficiency can increase the risk of heart disease and that vitamin B6 is linked to a lower risk of death from heart disease.
The research, conducted by Keiko Wada et al, was published in the journal Nutrients.
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