Heart Surgeon Avoids These 4 'Toxic' Foods & Drinks

Dr. Jeremy London, a cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon in Georgia, has shared a list of foods and beverages he avoids to lower his risk of heart disease, the leading cause of death in America. He classifies fast food as an "edible food product" that is nutritionally deficient and harmful due to high saturated fat and sugar content. These items can clog arteries and contribute to heart disease. His concerns extend to fast food's ultra-processed nature and additives that may cause inflammation and elevate blood pressure.

Furthermore, Dr. London categorizes both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened sodas as "liquid death." He highlights that excessive sugar intake raises blood pressure and cholesterol, while artificial sweeteners are increasingly linked to strokes and heart disease. He also suggests rethinking milk products, particularly full-fat options like cheese and chocolate, due to their saturated fat content, though scientific research on dairy's heart impact remains mixed. He notes the unique human practice of consuming milk beyond infancy and from other species.

Finally, Dr. London warns that alcohol is "absolutely toxic" to the body, even with moderate or occasional use, potentially damaging the heart muscle and increasing stress hormones. He points to its classification as a Group 1 carcinogen, similar to asbestos and tobacco. These choices reflect a proactive approach to preventing cardiovascular disease, which is projected to affect over 60 percent of Americans by 2050.