Eating Too Much of Ultra-processed Foods can Lower Your Heart Health

Ultra-processed foods can harm your health. Now, a new study suggests that eating too much of ultra-processed foods can lower your heart health.

"Eating ultra-processed foods often displaces healthier foods that are rich in nutrients, like fruit, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein, which are strongly linked to good heart health," said study research Zefeng Zhang from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US.

Deep Fried and Processed Foods and Sugary Drinks Increase Stroke Risk
A diet rich in deep fried and processed foods and sugary drinks increases the chances of stroke.

‘Eating fast food can put you at risk of heart disease because ultra-processed foods are high in salt, added sugars, saturated fat and other substances that increase the risk of heart disease.’

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"In addition, ultra-processed foods are often high in salt, added sugars, saturated fat and other substances associated with increasing the risk of heart disease," Zhang added.

Ultra-processed foods are made entirely or mostly from substances extracted from foods, such as fats, starches, hydrogenated fats, added sugar, modified starch and other compounds and include cosmetic additives such as artificial flavors, colors or emulsifiers.

Examples include soft drinks, packaged salty snacks, cookies, cakes, processed meats, chicken nuggets, powdered and packaged instant soups and many items often marketed as "convenience foods."

Heavily Processed Foods Cause Overeating and Weight Gain
Processed foods increase calorie consumption, which in turn causes people to overeat and can finally lead to increased weight gain.

Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) collected between 2011 and 2016, researchers reviewed the results from 13,446 adults, 20 years of age and older, who completed a 24-hour dietary recall and answered questions about their cardiovascular health.

Researchers have found that for every five percent increase in calories from ultra-processed foods a person ate, there was a corresponding decrease in overall cardiovascular health.

Eating Too Many Ultra-processed Foods May Up Heart Disease, Death Risk
Eating more ultra-processed foods can put you at higher risk of heart disease and death. Therefore, say 'no' to foods that are highly processed and choose foods that are fresh and healthy to live longer.

Adults who ate approximately 70 percent of their calories from ultra-processed foods were half as likely to have 'ideal' cardiovascular health, compared with people who ate 40 percent or less of their calories from ultra-processed foods.

"This study underscores the importance of building a healthier diet by eliminating foods such as sugar-sweetened beverages, cookies, cakes and other processed foods," said Donna Arnett from the University of Kentucky in the US.

Blood Pressure Rises with Increased Phosphate Intake
Increased phosphate intake elevates blood pressure in healthy adults. High consumption of processed foodstuffs has significantly increased phosphate intake in recent years.

The study is scheduled to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2019 from November 16-18 in Philadelphia, US.

Source-IANS