Boston: A new study suggests that eating starchy vegetables can lead to weight gain in middle age.
Researchers from the Harvard TH School of Public Health examined the diets of 136,432 men and women aged 65 years.
The study found that people whose diet consisted mostly of peas, corn and potatoes were more likely to gain weight than those who ate non-starchy vegetables such as broccoli, carrots and spinach. (whole grains and fruits such as apples and pears) may reduce the risk of weight gain in middle age.
At the start of the study, participants filled out questionnaires about their personal characteristics, medical history, lifestyle and other health-related factors, and then between two and four years later. An average weight gain of 1.5 kg was observed over the years.
Research has shown a strong correlation between glycemic index and glycemic load (a measure of the effect of different foods on blood sugar levels) with weight gain.
For example, an increase of 100 grams per day in starch or added sugar was associated with weight gain of 1.49 kg and 0.86 kg, respectively, over a four-year period.
The study found that people who ate non-starchy vegetables such as broccoli, carrots and spinach were expected to lose an average of 3.3kg less weight, while those who ate potatoes and corn were expected to gain 2.5kg more over the same period.
BMJ According to research published in
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