DistantNews
Support us
🇹🇼 Taiwan /Health & Science

Toast's Hidden Dangers: Doctor Warns of Kidney Risks from Over-Toasting

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Eating toast, especially when over-toasted to a crisp, can harm kidney function due to toxins like MCPD and acrylamide.
  • High sodium and sugar in savory or sweet filled breads can damage kidney blood vessels, while eating bread alone causes blood sugar spikes and inflammation.
  • To eat bread healthily, limit toasting time, choose plain or whole grain options, and pair with protein, fiber, and antioxidants from fruits and vegetables.

Toast, often considered a healthy breakfast choice, can pose a risk to kidney health if consumed incorrectly, according to a Taiwanese doctor. A 30-something office worker with no chronic conditions saw her kidney function decline rapidly, with her glomerular filtration rate dropping to 65.

These toxins enter the body like a "toxic glue" for the capillaries. The kidney's "filter" is constantly clogged and inflamed by these toxins, causing blood vessels to harden and accelerating kidney failure.

— Dr. Hung Yung-hsiangExplaining the dangers of toxins produced when bread is over-toasted.

She attributed her diet to being health-conscious, eating only whole wheat toast daily. While she avoided butter and jam, she deliberately toasted the bread until it was burnt and crispy, believing this made it healthier. This practice, however, was identified as the culprit behind her deteriorating kidney health.

Dr. Hung Yung-hsiang, director of Hung Yung-hsiang Clinic, explained that high-temperature toasting creates toxins like 3-MCPD and acrylamide. These substances act like a "toxic glue" on blood vessels, leading to inflammation and hardening of the arteries in the kidneys, ultimately accelerating kidney failure.

Many people love to eat pork floss bread or scallion bread for breakfast, or red bean or pineapple buns for afternoon tea. In fact, these breads add a lot of hidden salt (sodium) and refined sugar during production to maintain their softness and flavor, which are the two biggest killers of kidney microvasculature.

— Dr. Hung Yung-hsiangDescribing the risks associated with savory and sweet filled breads.

Furthermore, savory breads like pork floss buns and sweet-filled options such as red bean or pineapple buns contain hidden salt (sodium) and refined sugar, both major contributors to kidney damage. Eating bread as a sole meal also leads to significant blood sugar fluctuations and lacks the necessary antioxidants to protect the kidneys from inflammation.

Just eat bread alone, consuming large amounts of carbohydrates, not only causes large fluctuations in blood sugar but also lacks the antioxidant nutrients needed to protect the kidneys, leaving the kidneys exposed to the risk of inflammation day after day.

— Dr. Hung Yung-hsiangHighlighting the dangers of consuming bread as a standalone meal.

To enjoy bread safely, Dr. Hung advises limiting toasting time to avoid charring, opting for plain or whole grain varieties with minimal oil and salt, and always pairing bread with a balanced meal. This includes consuming unsweetened soy milk or eggs for protein and fresh fruits and vegetables for antioxidants. For individuals with existing kidney disease, whole wheat and multi-grain breads are high in phosphorus and protein and should be avoided.

Bread only needs to be slightly heated to soften; never toast it until it is burnt black.

— Dr. Hung Yung-hsiangAdvising on proper toasting methods for bread.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog