A recent study conducted by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, published in The Lancet, has found that consuming sugary or artificially sweetened drinks and processed meats may increase the risk of heart disease. The study followed over 200,000 health professionals over a span of three decades to track their intake of ultra-processed foods and monitor whether they developed heart disease or stroke. Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) make up 57% of the US adult diet and are typically high in calories, added sugars, sodium, and unhealthy fats.
The researchers categorized UPFs into 10 groups, including bread and cereals, sauces, spreads, condiments, sweet snacks, savory snacks, sugar-sweetened beverages, processed red meat, poultry, fish, ready-to-eat or heat dishes, yogurt, dairy-based desserts, hard liquors, and artificially-sweetened beverages. The most popular UPFs among participants were bread and cereals, sweet snacks and desserts, and ready-to-eat meals. Not all UPFs were found to be detrimental to heart health, with savory snacks, cold cereals, and yogurt/dairy-based desserts actually associated with a lower risk of heart disease and stroke.
Nutrition experts have long advised against the consumption of sugary sodas and processed meats due to their potential negative impact on heart health. Excessive added sugar can lead to chronic inflammation in the heart and blood vessels, as well as an increased risk of diabetes. Processed meats, preserved through salting, curing, smoking, or chemical additives, can also have negative effects on heart health, such as increasing blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Despite the warnings, these items continue to be popular in the American diet.
The study did have some limitations, such as a lack of information on how the food was prepared and a lack of diversity among participants. However, the researchers still believe that their findings suggest the need to discourage the consumption of soft drinks and processed meats and to consider the nutritional quality of UPFs before consumption. They recommend reducing sodium, saturated fats, added sugars, and unnecessary additives in products like whole-grain bread, cold cereals, and savory snacks to enhance their nutritional value for consumers in the US.
Overall, the study highlights the potential risks associated with consuming sugary or artificially sweetened drinks and processed meats in relation to heart disease. It emphasizes the importance of considering the nutritional quality of ultra-processed foods and making healthier choices to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. While not all ultra-processed foods are harmful, it is essential to be mindful of the ingredients and additives present in these products to make informed decisions about food consumption for better heart health.
