Story Content

A veteran 40-plus senior Delhi cardiologist has made a very clear-cut warning: ban the five Ws in your kitchen and keep the heart in better health to prevent diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases.

The five harmful ‘W’s’ are

• White Sugar—Spikes the blood sugar and propagates inflammation.
• White Flour (Maida)—It is highly refined and has no fiber, with the result of adding weight.
• White refined salt - sodium causes blood pressure.
• White refined oils are usually full of unhealthy fats that promote bad cholesterol.
• White Polished Rice - Deprived of nutrients, thus contributing to a rapid increase in blood sugar.

These junk, processed foods are associated with increased heart disease because they comprise low nutritional value and high glycemic index.

Healthier Replacements Suggested:

• In place of white sugar, jaggery, honey, or dates.
• Maida would be the use of whole wheat flour or millet flour.
• Rock or Himalayan pink salt (in small amounts).
• Olive, coconut, or mustard oil.
• Brown rice, red rice, or millets.

These easy replacements can dramatically help in bettering heart health in the long term. Alterations to diet should be discussed with your doctor.

This is a timely piece of advice when the lifestyle-related heart-related issues have been on the increase all over India.