Popular Food Linked to 67% Higher Heart Disease Risk

Research presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26) has linked the consumption of ultra-processed foods to a significantly higher risk of serious cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke.

According to the study, individuals who consumed approximately nine servings of ultra-processed foods per day experienced a 67% increased risk of a major cardiac event compared to those who consumed about one serving daily.

The findings, published in JACC: Advances, suggest that the risk of heart disease rises steadily as the intake of these foods increases.

Researchers found that each additional daily serving of ultra-processed foods was associated with more than a 5% increase in the likelihood of experiencing a stroke, heart attack, or death from coronary heart disease.

Study Methodology and Scope

The study analyzed observational data from 6,814 adults in the United States between the ages of 45 and 84.

At the start of the research, none of the participants had clinically apparent cardiovascular disease.

Researchers utilized food frequency questionnaires to estimate the participants’ intake of ultra-processed foods and collected follow-up questionnaires intermittently over a period of 12 years.

Following this period, the researchers scanned medical records to identify cardiovascular events, such as heart health-related deaths, strokes, or heart attacks.

The study accounted for variables including overall diet quality, calorie intake and common health conditions to isolate the impact of ultra-processed foods.

Defining Ultra-Processed Foods

The researchers used the Nova classification system to define ultra-processed foods. Under this system, these foods are viewed as industrial formulations made mostly or entirely from substances extracted from foods or synthesized in laboratories.

Extracted substances include proteins isolates, starch, sugar, fats, and oils. Synthesized substances include emulsifiers, non-sugar sweeteners, colorings, and artificial flavorings.

Common examples of ultra-processed foods include:

• Sugary drinks and soft drinks
• Frozen pizzas and ready-to-heat meals
• Processed and deli meats
• Breakfast cereals and commercially produced breads
• Chips and crackers
• Packaged snacks and candy
• Flavored yogurts and soy burgers
• Desserts

Past research indicates that these items are pervasive in the American diet, with over 73% of the U.S. Food supply classified as ultra-processed.

Demographic Impacts and Broader Health Risks

The study noted that the relationship between ultra-processed food consumption and increased cardiac risk was stronger among Black Americans compared to other racial groups.

Beyond cardiovascular health, other research has linked the consumption of ultra-processed foods to a variety of detrimental health outcomes.

These include links to chronic disease, early death, and the stifling of gut health and weight loss efforts.

The findings presented on March 19, 2026, emphasize that even small increases in the daily intake of these industrial formulations can steadily raise the risk of life-threatening heart problems.