- A new study examined the association between ultra-processed foods and heart disease.
- Since prior studies did not include a diverse population, the researchers wanted to see if prior findings held up when applied to a more diverse group.
- They found an association of nearly double the risk of heart disease per serving of ultra-processed foods in Black Americans.
Ultra-processed foods can be found in the majority of aisles in grocery stores. These foods contain additives, including preservatives, sweeteners, and artificial flavors.
These items are typically more shelf-stable and are often cheaper than many whole, fresh foods, but may come at a cost to one’s health.
Diets high in ultra-processed foods are linked to many negative health outcomes, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
The new study takes a closer look at this association to see how it presents in a diverse group.
They found that, as expected, cardiovascular risk rose with each additional daily serving of ultra-processed foods, and this association was much stronger among Black Americans.
The study is published in JACC Advances.
Team Health Accessible
Health & Wellness Editorial Team
HealthAccessible editorial team delivers trusted, accessible, and evidence-based health information for everyone.
