Eating more than seven servings of refined grains a day can increase your risk of early DEATH by 27%

From delicious white toast to a bowl of pasta, many of us like to eat refined grains.

But a new study warned that eating too many of them could have serious consequences, including an increased risk of heart disease, stroke and even premature death.

Refined carbohydrates, including croissants, white bread and pasta, had their fiber-rich parts removed, meaning they break down more quickly and lead to rapid spikes in blood sugar levels when consumed.

Based on the findings, the researchers are asking people to consider replacing their favorite refined grains with whole grain options, such as brown rice and barley.

The beans are considered “whole” if they contain the three original parts – the bran, the germ and the endosperm.

However, if one or more of these three main parts have been removed, the beans are called ‘refined’.

The Wholegrains Council explained: ‘White flour and white rice are refined grains, for example, because both had their bran and germ removed, leaving only the endosperm.

“Refining a grain removes about a quarter of the protein in a grain and half to two-thirds or more of a score of nutrients, leaving the grain a mere shadow of its original self.”

In the study, researchers at Simon Fraser University looked at the effects of following a diet rich in refined grains.

Its analysis included 137,130 participants from 21 countries, including those from low, medium and high income areas.

The grains in the participants’ diets were categorized into three groups – refined grains, whole grains and white rice.

Refined grains include products made with white flour, including white bread, pasta, pasta, breakfast cereals, cookies and baked goods.

Meanwhile, whole grains included all foods made from whole flour or whole grains intact or broken.

The analysis revealed that participants who consumed more than seven servings of refined grains per day were at a 27 percent higher risk of early death.

This group also had a 33 percent higher risk of heart disease and a 47 percent higher risk of stroke.

Professor Scott Lear, who led the study, said: ‘This study reaffirms previous work that indicates that a healthy diet includes limiting over-processed and refined foods.’

Based on the findings, the researchers suggest that people should limit their intake of refined grains and consider switching to whole grains.

The researchers added: “The intake of a combination of cereal grains with a lower intake of refined wheat products should be encouraged, while promoting a higher intake of whole grains.

“Reducing the amount and improving the quality of carbohydrates is essential for better health outcomes.”