Southern Food Increases Heart Disease Risk

ALABAMA—A recent study conducted at the University of Alabama and published in Circulation found that following a southern-style diet could increase your risk of heart disease.


The study analyzed 17,000 participants who completed food frequency questionnaires, and physical exams. The researchers followed up with each participant every 6 months for nearly 6 years. The researchers grouped the foods regularly eaten into the following 5 categories:


1.      Convenience: Pasta, pizza, Mexican and Chinese Food

2.      Plant-based: vegetables, fruits, cereal, beans, fish, chicken and yogurt

3.      Sweets: sugar, desserts, chocolate, candy

4.      Alcohol/Salads: beer, wine, liquor, green leafy veggies, tomatoes, and salad dressing

5.      Southern: fried food, eggs, organ means, processed meats, added fats and sugar-sweetened drinks


The team found that those who mostly followed a southern diet had a 56 percent higher risk of heart disease, compared to those who did not eat southern food and followed any of the other diets above.


According to lead researcher, James M. Shikany:


"Try cutting down the number of times you eat fried foods or processed meats from every day to 3 days a week as a start, and try substituting baked or grilled chicken or vegetable-based foods."


If you are interested in reducing your risk of heart disease, you might want to consider eliminating “southern” food from your daily diet.

Have a great day.