Ultra-processed food is associated with cardiovascular disease

Weekly consumption of ultra-processed food is linked with an increased risk of heart disease even in those with an otherwise healthy diet, according to research presented at European Society of Cardiology Congress.

Limited information exists on the relationship of these products with heart attacks and strokes. However, researchers at the University of Athens found that the incidence heart attack, stroke and irregular heart rhythm increased as ultra-processed food consumption rose.

Ultra-processed food refers to a wide range of products such as mass-produced bread, ready meals, fast foods, sweets and desserts, salty snacks, breakfast cereals, reconstituted meat including chicken and fish nuggets, instant noodles and soups, tinned vegetables with added salt, sugar-coated dried fruit, sodas and sweetened beverages.

This study looked at 2,020 participants from Greece over a ten year period who were healthy at the start of the study. They recorded how much and how often they ate ultra-processed food. The researchers also used a questionnaire to measure how similar their diet was to a Mediterranean diet, which emphasises fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. 

Scientists found that the higher the participants intake of ultra-processed foods the more likely they were of developing heart problems. Each additional weekly serving of ultra-processed food was associated on average with a 10 per cent higher likelihood of cardiovascular disease within the decade.

For those who strongly followed a Mediterranean diet, each weekly serving of ultra-processed food still increased the likelihood of cardiovascular disease by 8 per cent. For those who did not follow a Mediterranean diet each serving increased the likelihood by 19 per cent. 

Our senior dietitian, Victoria Taylor, said:

"This research highlights that a healthy diet is not just about what you eat but also about what you don’t eat. A Mediterranean-style diet has long been associated with better heart and circulatory health. Whole diet approaches like this form the basis of eating patterns that help promote heart and circulatory health. That means a varied diet rich in fruit, vegetables, wholegrains, nuts and seeds, beans, lentils and limiting processed foods which can be high in saturated fat, salt and sugar.”

“Other factors will also influence your risk of heart and circulatory diseases. Exercising regularly, not smoking and limiting alcohol are also beneficial for lowering risk of heart and circulatory disease.”

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