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Certain everyday foods have been found to dramatically increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. A recently published study has shed light on the adverse effects of ultra-processed products on the human body.

What Are Ultra-Processed Foods?

These include items like chips, sausages, sugary drinks, ready-to-eat meals, and instant cereals. Research indicates that individuals who consume large quantities of these foods daily face a 67% higher risk of heart attack, stroke, or death from cardiovascular diseases compared to those who rarely eat them.

Study Findings

The study involved over 6,800 participants aged between 45 and 84, none of whom had pre-existing heart conditions. Scientists monitored the participants' diets and health status over an extended period.

Results showed that each additional serving of ultra-processed food increased the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases by approximately 5%. This effect persisted regardless of the food's calorie content, overall nutritional value, or the individual's factors like obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.

Reasons for the Risk

While the exact mechanisms by which these products affect the body are still under investigation, previous research suggests that ultra-processed foods can exacerbate inflammatory processes, contribute to abdominal fat accumulation, and disrupt metabolism. All these factors are primary contributors to the development of cardiovascular diseases.

Conclusion

The study's authors noted that these findings are based on self-assessment and have certain limitations. Nevertheless, the data further underscores the importance of reducing the consumption of ultra-processed foods.

Experts recommend the easiest way to mitigate this risk is to carefully examine food labels and prioritize less processed options such as vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains.

This information was reported by Infohub.kz.