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Ultra-processed foods linked with higher risk of heart attack, stroke

09/12/2021

Ultra-processed foods linked with higher risk of heart attack, stroke

The impact of heavily processed foods on your health has been widely acknowledged for some time. But now new research shows just how potentially dangerous consuming such food products can be for people who have already had a heart attack or stroke.


According to the research by the Department of Epidemiology and Prevention of the I.R.C.C.S. Neuromed in Pozzilli, Italy, consuming ultra-processed foods (UPFs) increases the risk of a second — and more likely fatal — heart attack or stroke for people who already have cardiovascular disease (CVD). In fact, the research shows that UPFs are associated with a two-thirds increased risk of a second heart attack or stroke, this time fatal, compared with people who eat these types of foods less frequently.


Furthermore, the researchers also found that the probability of people who frequently eat UPFs of dying from any cause was 40% higher.


Examples of UPFs include soft drinks, sweet or savory packaged snacks, reconstituted meat products, and pre-prepared frozen dishes.


Worryingly, many adult Americans' diets comprise high levels of UPFs, as much as 60% in some cases.


The study is published in the European Heart Journal.


*Image by Shirley Hirst from Pixabay

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