14 october 2024 : A recent study highlights how certain types of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) can significantly impact heart health. Conducted by researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the study indicates that sugary or artificially sweetened beverages and processed meats may particularly increase the risk of heart disease.
Study Overview
Published in The Lancet Regional Health, the study involved a thorough examination of the relationship between UPF consumption and conditions such as coronary heart disease (CHD), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and stroke among U.S. populations. The researchers monitored the dietary habits of over 200,000 health professionals for nearly 30 years to assess the development of heart disease or stroke. UPFs account for 57% of the average U.S. adult diet and are often high in calories, added sugars, sodium, and unhealthy fats. These foods typically contain additives to improve taste, texture, and shelf-life, including stabilizers and sweeteners.
Key Findings
The study categorized UPFs into ten groups, including bread and cereals (with subcategories like breakfast cereals and different types of bread), sauces and condiments, packaged sweet and savory snacks, sugar-sweetened beverages, processed meats, ready-to-eat meals, yogurt and dairy desserts, and hard liquors.
The researchers found that the most commonly consumed UPFs were bread and cereals, sweet snacks and desserts, and ready-to-eat meals. A higher overall intake of UPFs was associated with an increased risk of CVD and CHD across various cohorts.
Notably, specific categories, such as sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverages and processed meats, posed the greatest health risks. In contrast, other UPFs like cold cereals, savory snacks, and yogurt/dairy desserts were linked to lower risks. These results underscore the need to evaluate both the processing level and nutritional quality of foods when making dietary recommendations.