Relationship between staple food types and cardiovascular disease risk among older Chinese adults

BackgroundDietary habits, particularly staple food consumption, play a significant role in influencing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. However, limited research has examined the relationship between staple food types and CVD incidence in aging populations, especially in China. This study aims to...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Chunmei Chen, Fayun Zhao, Maozong Du, Xin Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Nutrition
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1539920/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850261046610100224
author Chunmei Chen
Fayun Zhao
Maozong Du
Xin Wang
author_facet Chunmei Chen
Fayun Zhao
Maozong Du
Xin Wang
author_sort Chunmei Chen
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundDietary habits, particularly staple food consumption, play a significant role in influencing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. However, limited research has examined the relationship between staple food types and CVD incidence in aging populations, especially in China. This study aims to identify which types of staple foods are most beneficial for cardiovascular health among older Chinese adults.MethodsData from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) were analyzed to explore the associations between staple food types (rice, wheat, and coarse cereals) and CVD risk among 16,498 adults aged 65 and older. Cox proportional hazards models were employed to evaluate the relationship between staple food types and CVD incidence, while restricted cubic splines assessed potential non-linear relationships between staple food intake and CVD risk. Stratified analyses were performed based on age, sex, and hypertension history.ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 7.38 years, 1757 participants experienced new-onset CVD. Wheat as a staple food was related to a 40.8% higher risk of CVD compared to rice (HR: 1.408; 95% CI: 1.195–1.658; p < 0.001), while no significant association was observed for coarse cereals. Stratified analyses revealed that the association with wheat was stronger among participants aged 65–79 years, males, and those without hypertension. No linear relationship was found between intake levels of rice, wheat, or coarse cereals and CVD risk, but non-linear associations emerged for rice and wheat intake (P for non-linear association<0.001 and = 0.010, respectively). A U-shaped relationship was observed for wheat, with the lowest CVD risk at a cooked intake of 375 g/day, consistent with dietary guidelines.ConclusionThis study highlights the differential impact of staple food types on CVD risk, with wheat consumption linked to a higher incidence of CVD compared to rice, particularly in specific subgroups. These findings provide evidence to inform dietary guidelines for older Chinese adults and underscore the need for further research into the underlying mechanisms.
format Article
id doaj-art-2ecd3748217e40da89d75b99846155aa
institution OA Journals
issn 2296-861X
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Nutrition
spelling doaj-art-2ecd3748217e40da89d75b99846155aa2025-08-20T01:55:31ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2025-05-011210.3389/fnut.2025.15399201539920Relationship between staple food types and cardiovascular disease risk among older Chinese adultsChunmei ChenFayun ZhaoMaozong DuXin WangBackgroundDietary habits, particularly staple food consumption, play a significant role in influencing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. However, limited research has examined the relationship between staple food types and CVD incidence in aging populations, especially in China. This study aims to identify which types of staple foods are most beneficial for cardiovascular health among older Chinese adults.MethodsData from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) were analyzed to explore the associations between staple food types (rice, wheat, and coarse cereals) and CVD risk among 16,498 adults aged 65 and older. Cox proportional hazards models were employed to evaluate the relationship between staple food types and CVD incidence, while restricted cubic splines assessed potential non-linear relationships between staple food intake and CVD risk. Stratified analyses were performed based on age, sex, and hypertension history.ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 7.38 years, 1757 participants experienced new-onset CVD. Wheat as a staple food was related to a 40.8% higher risk of CVD compared to rice (HR: 1.408; 95% CI: 1.195–1.658; p < 0.001), while no significant association was observed for coarse cereals. Stratified analyses revealed that the association with wheat was stronger among participants aged 65–79 years, males, and those without hypertension. No linear relationship was found between intake levels of rice, wheat, or coarse cereals and CVD risk, but non-linear associations emerged for rice and wheat intake (P for non-linear association<0.001 and = 0.010, respectively). A U-shaped relationship was observed for wheat, with the lowest CVD risk at a cooked intake of 375 g/day, consistent with dietary guidelines.ConclusionThis study highlights the differential impact of staple food types on CVD risk, with wheat consumption linked to a higher incidence of CVD compared to rice, particularly in specific subgroups. These findings provide evidence to inform dietary guidelines for older Chinese adults and underscore the need for further research into the underlying mechanisms.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1539920/fullcardiovascular diseasestaple foodricewheatolder adults
spellingShingle Chunmei Chen
Fayun Zhao
Maozong Du
Xin Wang
Relationship between staple food types and cardiovascular disease risk among older Chinese adults
Frontiers in Nutrition
cardiovascular disease
staple food
rice
wheat
older adults
title Relationship between staple food types and cardiovascular disease risk among older Chinese adults
title_full Relationship between staple food types and cardiovascular disease risk among older Chinese adults
title_fullStr Relationship between staple food types and cardiovascular disease risk among older Chinese adults
title_full_unstemmed Relationship between staple food types and cardiovascular disease risk among older Chinese adults
title_short Relationship between staple food types and cardiovascular disease risk among older Chinese adults
title_sort relationship between staple food types and cardiovascular disease risk among older chinese adults
topic cardiovascular disease
staple food
rice
wheat
older adults
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1539920/full
work_keys_str_mv AT chunmeichen relationshipbetweenstaplefoodtypesandcardiovasculardiseaseriskamongolderchineseadults
AT fayunzhao relationshipbetweenstaplefoodtypesandcardiovasculardiseaseriskamongolderchineseadults
AT maozongdu relationshipbetweenstaplefoodtypesandcardiovasculardiseaseriskamongolderchineseadults
AT xinwang relationshipbetweenstaplefoodtypesandcardiovasculardiseaseriskamongolderchineseadults