Dietitian says consumption of wheat bread lowers risk of heart disease, diabetes

Yemisi Olowokere with Garki Hospital, Abuja on Friday said research had shown that eating of wheat bread lowers the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Olowokere, who disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, said that wheat bread could also help to maintain a healthy weight.
She said: “Because the carbohydrate in whole wheat bread is low in glycemic index and would not increase the blood sugar, unlike white processed bread.
“Wheat bread contains bran, which contributes to its high fibre content, white breads are usually made with enriched white flour and undergone a refining process that strips it of fibre.
“Fibre is an important part of a healthy diet.
“A diet high in fibre has many health benefits.
“It can help prevent heart disease, diabetes, weight gain and it can also improve digestive health.
“White bread contains approximately 0.5gram of fibre per slice that makes you feel satisfied for a long period of time.”
Olowookere said that one slice of whole wheat contains less than 5grams of protein, adding that “processed wheat bread contains less than two grams of protein per slice.”
She added: “A whole wheat bread has many important nutrients, such as vitamin E and foliate that is vitamin B9, which can be found in leafy green vegetables.
“These vitamins are important for a healthy heart, skin and hair.”
She said that wheat germ contains omega3 fatty acids, which protects the body against heart disease by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure.
Olowokere advised to always buy bread with at least 2grams of fibre, as it always makes a healthy choice.
NAN reports that dietitians are experts in food and nutrition, who advice people on what to eat to live a healthy lifestyle or achieve a specific health-related goal.