"After retirement, I gained 20kg" Park Se-ri... Is the crispy 'this' the cause of frequently eating it!?

Former professional golfer Se-ri Pak (47) revealed that she has gained weight after retiring.

On the 20th, MBC's variety show 'Radio Star' aired with Park Se-ri as a guest. Park Se-ri mentioned that after retiring from her athletic career, she gained 15 to 20 kilograms, saying, "I originally liked eating, but after quitting sports, I avoided exercise and ate a lot, so I gained weight." She continued, "I enjoy eating a variety of foods," and "I keep snacks on the shelves at home." Park Se-ri said, "One of my favorite snacks is crackers that are used in the White House," and "They're really crispy and delicious." The crackers that Park Se-ri enjoys are actually foods that tend to cause weight gain.

Crackers are a type of biscuit that is made by fermenting wheat flour with yeast and then baking it until it becomes hard. Wheat flour is a type of refined carbohydrate, and frequent consumption can lead to 'carbohydrate addiction.' Refined carbohydrates have short sugar molecule bonds, which means they are quickly converted into glucose when ingested. To address the rapidly rising glucose levels, the body secretes excess insulin, which can result in poor blood sugar regulation and increase the risk of diabetes. When insulin secretion is excessive and blood glucose levels drop, our bodies tend to crave sweets again, and this cycle repeats, leading to frequent carbohydrate cravings. Excessive intake of refined carbohydrates can easily lead to fat accumulation in the body and increase the risk of hypertension and metabolic syndrome.

Refined carbohydrates also increase the risk of cancer development. A research team from the Department of Nutrition at New York University in the United States conducted a study tracking the eating habits and cancer incidence of approximately 3,200 people over more than 20 years. The study found that men who consumed a lot of foods that raise blood sugar levels, such as refined carbohydrates and sugary foods, had a threefold higher risk of developing prostate cancer. Conversely, women who consumed a lot of unrefined carbohydrates (carbohydrates from naturally intact grains that retain their nutrients) had a 67% lower risk of breast cancer compared to women who ate a lot of refined carbohydrates.

Therefore, if you are on a diet, it is better to consume unrefined carbohydrates rather than refined carbohydrates. Unrefined carbohydrates minimize processing and are more nutritious than refined grains such as white rice and flour. The nutrient called phytic acid, mainly found in the husk of grains, has anticancer effects, lowers blood sugar, relieves constipation, and acts as an antioxidant. Unrefined carbohydrates contain high levels of protein, dietary fiber, vitamin B, and minerals such as iron, zinc, and magnesium. Even with the same amount of carbohydrates, those containing dietary fiber cause less of a spike in blood sugar. Dietary fiber absorbs water in the body and helps maintain a feeling of fullness. The vitamins and minerals in whole grains have antioxidant effects and energize the body. Whole grains such as brown rice, barley, oats, millet, and sorghum are representative unrefined carbohydrates. Especially, brown rice helps quickly induce satiety and aids in controlling meal portions. The linolenic acid in brown rice removes cholesterol and stabilizes blood sugar levels. It also delays sugar absorption and prevents excessive insulin secretion.

<Source: Health Chosun>