Southern Diet Is Not A Healthy Food Indeed, New Study Reveals

Southern food pattern increases the risk of heart disease up to 56%

Southern food may be delicious and tempting but it is not the healthy food indeed.

According to a new study, the regular intake of Southern style food may increase the risk of heart diseases. The study, published in Circulation, suggests that this dietary pattern has a 56% increased risk of developing heart problem regardless of race and gender.

The findings were documented after comparing southern style food with different eating patterns. The aim was to find what kind negative effects of this dietary pattern can cause to heart. Southern food generally involves fried and high in fat food.

For the study, 17,418 people aged 45 or more were recruited from across the United States. The participants were followed up over the next six years to find out whether they have developed heart disease.

Researchers from various universities including University of Alabama, Boston and Hayward University analyzed the date that has been obtained from the participants throughout this period. Based on the prior information, researchers have already been able to identify five dietary patterns.

People eating Southern style food have a greater risk of acute coronary heart disease. During the six-year period, 536 heart attacks including some deaths were reported.

“Regardless of your gender, race or where you live, if you frequently eat a Southern-style diet you should be aware of your risk of heart disease and try to make some gradual changes to your diet.” James M. Shikany, lead author of the study said.

Heart disease is a major cause of death among people in United States. About 735,000 people have heart attacks each year in USA and about 12,000 die as a result of it. It is dare need to maintain a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle.

Shikany suggests. “Try cutting down the number of times you eat a food or processed meats from everyday to three days a week as a start, and try substituting baked or grilled chicken or vegetable-based food. Southern or not, the smallest changes are usually the place to start.

The Author

Hira BashirThe latest discoveries in science are the passion of Hira Bashir (Google+). With years of experience, she is able to spot the most interesting new achievements of scientists around the world and cover them in easy to understand reporting.