on PinterestEuropean scientists are advocating for more education on the health harms of ultra-processed foods.
on PinterestEuropean scientists are advocating for more education on the health harms of ultra-processed foods. Trinette Reed/Stocksy
- European scientists say ultra-processed foods increase the risks of a variety of health ailments, particularly heart disease.
- They recommend that medical professionals discuss the health dangers of ultra-processed foods with their patients.
- Experts agree that doctors should advise their patients on how to identify ultra-processed foods and reduce them in their daily diets.
European scientists say that medical professionals aren’t doing enough to warn the public about the health dangers of ultra-processed foods.
The scientists are urging doctors to talk with their patients about the amount of ultra-processed foods they eat and how to reduce them in their daily diets. They said those discussions should include an explanation that many foods marketed as “healthier” are often ultra-processed.
The scientists said this guidance is particularly important for people at risk for heart disease. They further noted that most dietary guidelines prioritize nutrient-centered recommendations but don’t address food processing.
The scientists recommended that medical professionals promote better public understanding of food labeling, food regulation, and updated guidelines. They reached their conclusions by reviewing all published research on ultra-processed foods and cardiovascular health.
The findings were published in a clinical consensus statement in the European Heart Journal on May 6. The scientists are from the European Society of Cardiology’s Council for Cardiology Practice and the European Association of Preventive Cardiology, along with a group of topic experts.
“[Ultra-processed foods], made from industrial ingredients and additives, have largely replaced traditional diets,” Luigina Guasti, MD, an associate professor at the said in a press release.
“Research suggests these foods are linked to several risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure, and to the risk of developing and dying from heart disease. However, this evidence has not yet made its way into the advice we give to patients on healthy eating,” Guasti continued.
Health dangers of ultra-processed foods
Ultra-processed foods are foods that have been altered from their original form and contain additives such as sugar and salt, as well as substances that aren’t typically used in culinary preparations.
Those additional substances add flavor and texture to foods but can also increase the risk of several diseases.
A 2023 research review and analysis reported that there are associations between ultra-processed foods and an increased risk of several diseases. These include:
- hypertension
- diabetes
- obesity
- dyslipidemia
A 2025 study concluded that ultra-processed foods are tied to more than 120,000 preventable deaths in the United States every year.
Recent research has also linked ultra-processed foods to worse muscle health, weakened bones, and fertility issues in females.
Further, research has linked ultra-processed foods to an increased risk of cancer mortality as well as a higher risk of cognitive decline.
The European scientists reported that adults with a high consumption of ultra-processed foods have a 19% higher risk of coronary artery disease, a 13% higher risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib), and as much as a 65% higher risk of cardiovascular-related death compared with adults with a lower consumption of ultra-processed foods.
They added that ultra-processed foods also worsen key
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