People in China who eat a lot of white rice and white bread have an 80% higher chance of getting heart disease compared to those who eat much less of these foods.

People in China who eat a lot of white rice and other refined wheat foods like white bread may be almost three times more likely to develop heart disease as they get older, compared to those who eat much less of these foods.

People who eat more whole grains like oats and brown rice instead of white bread and sugary cereals tend to have a lower chance of getting heart disease, according to studies that watch what people eat over time.

People who eat more whole grains like oats and brown rice, and fewer white breads and sugary snacks, tend to have less heart disease — and this pattern has been seen in many different groups of people.

Even though Chinese adults eat a lot of white rice and other sugary carbs, their risk of heart disease doesn’t seem to go up just because of how fast those carbs raise blood sugar—what matters more is how much of those carbs they eat overall.

Eating more whole grains like oats and brown rice instead of white bread and pastries may help lower your risk of heart disease because they help keep your cholesterol and inflammation in check.