A group of products has been named that increases the risk of heart attack and stroke by 67%

Frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods may significantly increase the risk of serious cardiovascular events. The study was published in the journal JACC: Advances.

These include products such as chips, processed meats, sugary drinks, ready-made meals, and instant breakfasts. As the study showed, people who consumed more than nine servings of such products per day were 67% more likely to experience heart attacks, strokes, or die from cardiovascular causes compared to those who rarely ate them.

The study included more than 6,800 people aged 45 to 84 who had no previously diagnosed heart disease. Scientists monitored their health and analyzed their diets using questionnaires.

It turned out that the risk increases gradually: each additional serving per day raises the likelihood of adverse events by approximately 5%. Moreover, this effect persisted even after accounting for caloric intake, diet quality, and factors such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. This means that the danger may be linked not only to calories or composition but also to the level of food processing itself.

The mechanisms of this impact have not yet been fully studied; however, previous research shows that such products contribute to inflammation, visceral fat accumulation, and metabolic disorders — all key risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

The authors emphasize that the study is based on self-reported dietary data and has limitations. Nevertheless, the results are consistent with previous findings and strengthen the case for reducing the proportion of ultra-processed foods in the diet.

According to the researchers, one simple way to reduce the risk is to pay closer attention to product ingredients and choose less processed foods: vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains.