Carbs and Cancer: Glycaemic Index and Lung Cancer

Is eating certain carbs as bad as smoking?

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – You’ve heard that carbs can increase your waistline, but according to a new study they could be as bad for you as smoking cigarettes.
 

The study found carbs can actually raise the risk of lung cancer by some 49-percent.
 
Scientists found foods with a high glycaemic index, such as white bread, may increase the risks of cancer.
 
The report says glycaemic index is a measure of the quality of dietary carbohydrates – and is defined by how certain foods affect our blood sugar levels after eating.
 
The theory behind the study is that high-GI foods trigger higher levels of glucose and insulin in the blood, which in turn increase Insulin-Like Growth Factors (IGFs).
 
The study was conducted by the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
 
Lead author on the study, Dr. Stephanie Melkonian says: “We observed a 49 percent increased risk of lung cancer among subjects with the highest daily GI compared to those with the lowest daily GI.”
 
The study says people should limit their intake of foods and beverages with a high GI.

So, in this study is was not total carbs per se that was the problem, but rather, the type of carbs - in other words a qualitative rather than strictly quantitative problem. Therefore, "white" and "starchy" carbs are a problem, by causing blood glucose spikes that result in higher levels of insulin and insulin-like growth factors. Whole wheat, etc, as much as non-starchy vegetables and many fruits, do not have the same effect. Although the problem is qualitative in that the type of carbs is what's most important, of course how much you eat of it will influence risk. Eating some occasional white bread and rice (which I for one try to avoid as much as possible) is likely not going to be as risky as stuffing your face with it every day, especially multiple times per day. Eating some potatoes won't kill you either. Again, it is a question of balance. For a variety of reasons independent of this study (obesity, diabetes, etc.) it is a good idea to limit levels of high glycaemic carbs. One does not have to completely eliminate them, but limit consumption , definitely, yes.