Researchers say that while an occasional indulgence in such
high-fat, high-carbohydrate fare probably poses no concern, the
new findings suggest that making it a regular routine could
lead to chronic blood vessel inflammation and complications,
such as heart attack and stroke.
The study included nine healthy, normal-weight adults who
were fed a breakfast of one Egg McMuffin, a Sausage McMuffin
and two servings of hash browns from McDonald's. The meal
weighed in at 910 calories, 81 grams of carbohydrates, 51 grams
of fat and 32 grams of protein.
While the hearty breakfast may be on the supersize side,
lead study author Dr. Ahmad Aljada of the State University of
New York at Buffalo said it reflects what many Americans order
up at fast-food restaurants.
"We wanted to look at a typical American meal," he told
Reuters Health. "We're not targeting McDonald's."
Dr. Catherine Adams, corporate vice president of worldwide
quality at McDonald's and a registered dietitian, cautioned
against reading too much into the findings.
The normal metabolic response to eating involves some
inflammation and the production of molecules called oxygen free
radicals. Any heavy meal, compared with water, will generate a
much greater inflammatory response, Adams noted.
And no one, she told Reuters Health, advocates regularly
consuming a 900-calorie fast-food breakfast.
However, Aljada said additional research suggests that it's
not the size, but the content of the breakfast that may be the
problem when it comes to inflammation in the blood vessels.
He said he and his colleagues found that 900 calories'
worth of an American Heart Association (news - web sites) (AHA)-endorsed breakfast
high in fruit and fiber did not produce the inflammatory
responses seen with the fast-food breakfast.
"The number of calories is not the issue," Aljada said.
"It's the type of food."
There may be something about the metabolism of fat, for
example, that spurs significant inflammation, according to the
researcher.
In past studies, he and his colleagues found that both pure
glucose (sugar) and fat trigger greater inflammatory responses
than protein does. The AHA-based breakfast, while high in
carbohydrates, contains complex, fiber-rich carbs, as well as
antioxidant vitamins that may ward off inflammation, Aljada
explained.
For the new study, the researchers gave nine adults the
fast-food breakfast and another eight a glass of water after an
overnight fast. They took blood samples before the meal or
drink, then again one, two and three hours afterward.
The blood samples showed that in the fast-food diners,
markers of inflammation and free-radical production rose and
remained high for hours after the meal.
Chronic inflammation is key in the development of the
artery disease atherosclerosis, a hardening and narrowing of
the arteries that can lead to heart attack and stroke. Aljada
said that the concern is that, over time, repeated inflammatory
responses like those seen in the study could lead to chronic
inflammation in the blood vessels.
He said his advice to fast-food fans is to "eat
moderately."
"And," the researcher added, "you may want to look into
eating more fruit and fiber."
Adams echoed the call for moderation, saying fast-food fare
can fit into a balanced diet. Ordering that Egg McMuffin with a
glass of orange juice-rich in free radical-squelching
antioxidants is one way to strive for better balance, she
noted.
Aljada said he and his colleagues are studying the
inflammatory effects of other types of food as well, including
Atkins-style high-fat, high-protein meals, and foods with a
high glycemic index. Foods in this latter group are digested
quickly to glucose and cause a swift surge in blood sugar; they
include carbohydrates such as white bread and potatoes.
SOURCE: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (news - web sites), April 2004.
