Key result
Higher high-quality carbohydrate consumption is linked to a ~41% lower likelihood of femoral plaques.
Why the study?
High-quality carbohydrate intake appears protective against cardiovascular disease, but its relationship with the early appearance of subclinical atherosclerosis had not yet been described.
Is a high-quality intake of carbohydrates associated with a lower prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis in middle-aged males?
Cross-Sectional (n=2,074)
Is a high-quality intake of carbohydrates associated with a lower prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis in middle-aged males?
Effect estimate: OR 0.59 (95% CI 0.39-0.89)
p-value: p=0.005
High-quality carbohydrate intake is associated with a lower prevalence of subclinical femoral atherosclerosis in middle-aged men without prior cardiovascular disease.
High-quality carb intake may link to lower subclinical atherosclerosis in middle-aged men; hypothesis-generating and leaves open prospective confirmation.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: High-quality of the carbohydrates consumed, apart from their total amount, appear to protect from cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the relationship between the quality of carbohydrates and the early appearance of atherosclerosis has not yet been described. Our objective was to estimate the association between the quality of dietary carbohydrates and subclinical atherosclerosis in femoral and carotid arteries. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of femoral and carotid atherosclerosis assessed using ultrasounds of 2074 middle-aged males, 50.9 (SD 3.9) years old, with no previous CVD, and pertaining to the Aragon Workers' Health Study (AWHS) cohort. Food frequency questionnaires were used to calculate a carbohydrate quality index (CQI) defined as: consumption of dietary fiber, a lower glycemic index, the ratio of whole grains/total grains, and the ratio of solid carbohydrates/total carbohydrates. The presence of plaques across four CQI intervals was studied using adjusted logistic regression models. RESULTS: The CQI showed a direct inverse association with subclinical atherosclerosis in femoral territories. Participants with a higher consumption of high-quality carbohydrates (13-15 points) were less likely to have femoral plaques when compared with participants in the lowest index interval (4-6 points) (OR = 0.59; 95% CI = 0.39, 0.89; p = 0.005). No association was found between the CQI and the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis in carotid territories. A lower consumption of high-quality carbohydrates tended to be associated with a greater atherosclerosis extension, considered as the odds for having more affected territories (p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Among middle-aged males, a high-quality intake of carbohydrates is associated with a lower prevalence of femoral artery subclinical atherosclerosis when compared with a lower consumption. Thus, indicating an early relationship between the quality of carbohydrates and the development of CVD.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Muñoz-Cabrejas et al. (2021) conducted a cross-sectional in Subclinical atherosclerosis (n=2,074). High-quality carbohydrates (CQI 13-15 points) vs. Low-quality carbohydrates (CQI 4-6 points) was evaluated on Presence of femoral plaques (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.39-0.89, p=0.005). Higher consumption of high-quality carbohydrates was associated with a lower likelihood of femoral plaques compared to the lowest consumption interval (OR 0.59; 95% CI 0.39-0.89; p=0.005).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: