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Ultra-Processed Foods Hike Heart Attack Risk 67%
17 Mar
Summary
- Nine daily servings of ultra-processed foods increase heart attack risk by 67%.
- Each extra serving of processed food raises cardiac risk by approximately 5%.
- Black Americans face a higher 6.1% increased risk per serving.
A decade-long analysis of over 6,800 U.S. adults revealed a startling connection between ultra-processed food consumption and heart health. Individuals consuming an average of 9.3 servings daily faced a 67% higher risk of death from heart attack, stroke, and heart disease compared to those eating fewer servings.
The study, which analyzed data from 2000 to 2012, indicated that for every additional daily serving of ultra-processed foods, the risk of cardiac events increased by approximately 5.1%. This risk was found to be even more pronounced among Black Americans, with an increased risk of 6.1% per serving.
Researchers emphasized that the elevated risk associated with ultra-processed foods persists regardless of overall calorie intake or diet quality. These foods, often high in sugar, salt, and fat, constitute nearly two-thirds of the American diet and have been previously linked to various health issues.
Notably, the analysis of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) data also indicated that Black Americans are disproportionately affected by these health consequences. Socio-economic and environmental factors, such as limited access to fresh foods in minority and low-income communities, may contribute to this disparity.
While the impacts on the heart, gut, and brain can be severe, a switch to a nutritious, balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and fiber may help reverse some of these effects over time.
