WASHINGTON: People who consume high amounts of ultra-processed foods face a significantly increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and death from cardiovascular disease, according to a new study published on Tuesday.
The research, published in JACC: Advances, found that individuals eating around nine servings of ultra-processed foods per day had a 67 percent higher risk of major cardiac events compared with those consuming about one serving daily.
Risk rises with each serving
The study showed that risk increased steadily with greater consumption.
Each additional daily serving of ultra-processed food was associated with more than a five percent rise in the likelihood of heart attacks, strokes or death from coronary heart disease.
“Ultra-processed foods are associated with an increased risk for heart disease,” said Amier Haidar of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.
“While many of these products may seem like convenient on-the-go meal or snack options, our findings suggest they should be consumed in moderation,” he said.
Large study group
The findings were presented at the American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26) and are based on data from 6,814 adults aged between 45 and 84 years who had no prior history of heart disease.
Participants were part of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), one of the largest long-term studies examining cardiovascular risk in a diverse US population.
Researchers used dietary questionnaires to estimate intake and applied the NOVA food classification system, which categorises foods by level of processing.
Those with the highest intake consumed an average of 9.3 servings of ultra-processed foods daily, compared with 1.1 servings among those with the lowest intake.
Risk independent of other factors
Researchers said the increased risk remained even after accounting for factors such as calorie intake, overall diet quality, diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol and obesity.
“We controlled for a lot of factors in this study,” Haidar said. “The risk associated with higher ultra-processed food intake was still about the same.”
The findings suggest that the level of processing itself may play an important role in cardiovascular health, beyond traditional nutritional considerations.
Disparities among populations
The study also found that the association was stronger among Black Americans.
Each additional serving was linked to a 6.1 per cent increase in risk in this group, compared with 3.2 per cent among non-Black individuals.
Researchers said differences in access to healthier food options and targeted marketing of processed products could contribute to these disparities.
Health concerns and possible causes
Ultra-processed foods include a wide range of packaged and convenience items such as chips, sugary drinks, processed meats, frozen meals and breakfast cereals.
Previous research suggests these foods are often high in calories, added sugars, unhealthy fats and salt, which may contribute to weight gain, inflammation and the accumulation of visceral fat — all key risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Although the study did not directly examine biological mechanisms, researchers said these factors likely play a role.
The findings add to a growing body of evidence linking ultra-processed foods to adverse health outcomes and come as US authorities take steps to discourage their consumption.
The US Department of Health and Human Services, under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has issued updated dietary guidance advising people to limit foods high in added sugars and salt, including packaged snacks and confectionery.
The American College of Cardiology has also endorsed clearer front-of-package labelling to help consumers make healthier choices.
