photo courtesy of Uwe Hermann

So, I’m reading this article in RealAge about how certain cereals can be good for you because they protect your blood vessels. Important stuff because damaged blood vessels lead to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and heart disease. I finish the article, and what it really concludes is that consuming food with a high glycemic index (higher sugar, hence spiking your blood sugar) damages the cells that line the interior walls of your blood vessels.

We know that eating too many high glycemic foods leads to a potbelly, wide hips, and thunder thighs. These areas of fat accumulation draw heavily on the heart, forcing it to work harder. Now we know that that the high glycemic foods are giving us the double whammy of extra fat AND damaging the blood vessels. I guess Mom was right when she told us not to consume so much starch and sugar. This was long before we ever heard of a glycemic index.

And you say, “Hey Wide-Body, what are some examples of high glycemic foods?” Well Johnny, I’m glad you asked. Here’s an 8 oz high fructose corn syrup laced cookie. Now go sit in the corner, consume, and pass out while I give the readers some links to review.

You have some food and want to know, “What is the G.I. rating?” Check out this powered by the University of Sydney in Australia.
http://www.glycemicindex.com/

Do you just want a chart of foods you can review? Something to consider before you make a purchase? Here’s a link from the South Beach diet.
http://www.southbeach-diet-plan.com/glycemicfoodchart.htm

Do you want to know more about the glycemic index? Need some more details, not to mention another chart of foods? Check out these nutritional facts at:
http://www.nutritiondata.com/topics/glycemic-index

So, what have we learned today? I’m writing this as I drink a cocktail (HIGH GI) and I will have a salad for dinner (low GI). So, I’m probably okay. All things in moderation, and enjoy life. Yep, I did not say that in the above post, but it’s not a bad philosophy. Don’t be stupid, push away from the pasta, bread, and sugary soda, but as long as you can balance yourself with other healthy foods, why be such a stoic?

Study references: