Glycemic load linked to breast cancer risk

Photo: Little Miss Cupcake

Women who eat more carbohydrates and whose diets have a higher 'glycemic load' are more likely to develop breast cancer, according to a study in the International Journal of Cancer.

In the new study, more than 61,000 women gave detailed information about their diets. During the 17-year follow up period, 2,952 of the women developed breast cancer.

The glycemic index (GI) of a food gives an estimate of how much it will raise blood sugar levels. Glycemic load (GL) combines the glycemic index, the amount of carbohydrates in the food, and the serving size, providing a more accurate way of determining the blood sugar-raising effects of different foods. Some foods may have a very high GI, but a low GL; examples are popcorn and watermelon. Baked potatoes, on the other hand, have a high GI and high GL.

Women with the highest GLs had a slightly higher overall risk of breast cancer. Those women whose diets were higher in carbohydrates, and had higher GIs and GLs had a significantly greater risk of developing one sub-type of cancer, estrogen receptor positive/progesterone receptor negative (ER+/PR-) breast cancer.

Lower GL for Life

Processed foods tend to be higher on the GI and GL charts. Focus on foods as they're found in nature, as close to the 'original' as possible.

• Choose whole grains like oats, quinoa, spelt, brown rice, teff, whole wheat, and amaranth.
• Avoid 'white foods' like white sugar (and any other refined or concentrated sugar including Sugar in the Raw, brown sugar, corn syrup, fructose, dextrose, sucrose, and evaporated cane juice), white rice, white pasta, white flour, and white bread.
• Opt for natural sweeteners such as pure maple syrup, molasses, stevia, raw honey, agave nectar, and dehydrated cane juice (Rapadura). Enjoy even lower GI sweeteners in moderation, keeping it under 3 teaspoons per day.
• Low GI and GL foods include: strawberries, apples, carrots, chick peas, grapes, kidney beans, pinto beans, oranges, peaches, peanuts, pears, red lentils, and sweet corn. Eat these foods worry-free!

(Int J Cancer 2009;doi:10.1002/ijc.24310)