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Business Standard
9 hours ago
- Health
- Business Standard
10 foods a cardiologist avoids after 20 years treating heart disease
From coconut oil to wheat bread, these everyday foods may not be as heart-healthy as you think, says US-based cardiologist Dr Sanjay Bhojraj, who reveals his 'never-buy' list Barkha Mathur New Delhi Have you ever reached for 'healthy' foods like coconut oil or whole wheat bread, believing you're making heart-smart choices? Well, you might be unknowingly risking your heart's health. After treating heart diseases for 20 years, California-based Dr Sanjay Bhojraj, cardiologist and director of Cardiovascular Precision Medicine has shared 10 foods he would never buy. 'These might shock you… especially #6,' he wrote in his post on Instagram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sanjay Bhojraj MD | Functional Medicine Doctor (@doctorsanjaymd) Some 'healthy' foods actually bad for your heart According to Dr Sanjay Bhojraj, many foods that seem heart-healthy can actually spike inflammation, blood sugar, and triglyceride levels, all harmful for your heart. He warns that attractive labels and 'natural' tags can easily mislead us into thinking we're making the right choices. 'I've seen this play out with hundreds of patients,' he said. 10 foods to avoid as recommended by Dr Bhojraj 1. Agave syrup Agave syrup is often marketed as a better sugar substitute, but Dr Bhojraj pointed out that it rapidly raises triglyceride levels, the most common type of fat in your body. Elevated triglycerides can increase the risk of heart disease, despite the 'healthy' reputation agave enjoys. 2. Coconut oil Surprisingly, coconut oil is on the cardiologist's 'never-buy' list. Though trendy for its supposed health benefits, coconut oil is high in saturated fats that can inflame arteries and worsen heart conditions, especially when consumed in large amounts. 3. Store-bought granola Dr Bhojraj cautions that most store-bought granola is ultra-processed and loaded with hidden sugars, making it far from the nutritious snack many believe it to be. 4. Whole wheat bread Not all whole wheat bread is created equal. Dr Bhojraj said many are just brown-coloured white bread loaded with additives. They lack real nutritional value and can cause unnecessary blood sugar spikes. 5. Flavoured Greek yoghurt While Greek yoghurt is high in protein, the flavoured versions can pack in large amounts of hidden sugars. According to Dr Bhojraj, these sugars can silently contribute to inflammation and heart risk. 6. Plant-based meat substitutes Plant-based doesn't always mean heart-healthy. Dr Bhojraj warned that many meat substitutes are full of inflammatory seed oils, sodium, and synthetic additives that can harm your body in the long run. 7. Rice cakes Rice cakes might seem like a light snack, but they are high glycemic and low in nutrients, which can cause quick blood sugar spikes and crashes, a 'blood sugar rollercoaster' that's bad for heart health. 8. Bottled green juices Don't be fooled by their green colour. The cardiologist said bottled green juices are often 'fructose bombs in disguise', loaded with sugars that can silently damage your cardiovascular system. 9. Flavoured sparkling waters Be cautious of sparkling waters that boast 'natural flavours'. The cardiologist claims they often contain synthetic chemicals and acids that can erode the gut lining, which can indirectly impact heart health. 10. Gluten-free processed snacks Dr Bhojraj said gluten-free processed snacks may have clever marketing, but they can still be highly inflammatory, offering little to no heart health benefits. How can you make heart-smart food choices? The key is to look beyond the labels. Just because something says 'natural', 'whole', or 'plant-based' doesn't mean it's automatically good for you. Dr Bhojraj advised avoiding ultra-processed foods, watching out for hidden sugars, and not blindly trusting health claims. It's all about reading ingredients and being mindful of what truly supports heart health. For more health updates, follow #HealthWithBS
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Cardiologist shares 10 foods he will never buy after ‘treating heart disease for 20 years': Coconut oil to wheat bread
There are certain everyday foods that we think are healthy for us, but they do more harm than good. Some are even harmful to your heart in the long term. But, what if you had a list of food items to avoid? Then, you would know what to buy and avoid. Coconut oil consumed in large amounts is harmful to your health, as it is high in saturated fats. (Unsplash) Also Read | Cardiologist explains why 'strength training is your retirement plan': Whether you're 20 or 60, lifting weights builds… Dr Sanjay Bhojraj, cardiologist and director of Cardiovascular Precision Medicine, shared a list of 10 foods that he would never buy as a cardiologist who has treated heart diseases for about 20 years. In a post shared on May, Dr Bhojraj listed the foods and wrote, 'These might shock you… especially #6.' 1. Agave syrup According to the cardiologist, agave syrup is often marketed as a healthy sugar alternative, but it spikes triglycerides fast. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), they are a type of fat, called lipids, that circulates in your blood and is the most common type of fat in your body. Triglycerides come from foods, especially butter, oils, other fats you eat, and extra calories your body does not need right away. 2. Coconut oil Dr Bhojraj stressed that coconut oil consumed in large amounts is harmful for your health as it is high in saturated fats, which is not great for already inflamed arteries. 3. Store-bought granola Per the cardiologist, store-bought granola is often ultra-processed and full of hidden sugars. 4. 'Whole wheat' bread Often, 'whole wheat' bread is a go-to option for people looking for a healthier alternative to bread. However, the cardiologist stressed that whole wheat bread might come with additives, and most are just brown-colored white bread. 5. Flavoured Greek yoghurt Flavoured Greek yoghurt has tons of sugar hiding behind the protein, Dr Bhojraj wrote in the post. 6. Plant-based meat substitutes According to the cardiologist, plant-based meat substitutes are often full of seed oils, sodium, and additives. 7. Rice cakes Rice cakes are high glycemic and low in nutrients, which means they are a sure-shot 'blood sugar rollercoaster'. 8. Bottled green juices Dr Bhojraj stressed that bottled green juices are a 'fructose bomb in disguise.' 9. Flavoured sparkling water with 'natural flavours' Often, flavoured sparkling water that claims they have 'natural flavours' contains synthetic chemicals and acids that erode the gut lining, the cardiologist claimed. 10. Gluten-free processed snacks Lastly, Dr Bhojraj said that gluten-free processed snacks are just as inflammatory. They just come with better branding. Why these? Per the cardiologist, what looks healthy on the label isn't always heart-healthy. He added, 'I've seen this play out with hundreds of patients. Inflammation, blood sugar spikes, and nutrient depletion don't always come from junk food.' Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
