Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Daily Ultra-Processed Foods May Raise Heart Risks, Cardiologist Explains
Ultra-processed foods include many packaged snacks, sugary drinks and ready-to-eat meals.
Eating one biscuit occasionally is not necessarily a problem.
The concern is when these foods become a regular part of a person’s diet.
Researchers found that higher daily consumption was linked with greater risks of heart problems and high blood pressure.
This does not mean that exactly 100 grams suddenly causes harm.
It also does not mean every processed food is equally unhealthy.
These foods may replace fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains.
Dr Ashish Kumar recommends making steady changes, such as choosing fruit, unsalted nuts or water more often.
A review of 41 prospective studies involving more than 8.2 million adults linked each additional daily 100 grams of ultra-processed food with a 5.9% rise in cardiovascular events.
The same review associated each additional 100 grams per day with a 14.5% higher risk of hypertension.
A separate Framingham Offspring Study found each additional daily serving was associated with a 7% higher risk of major cardiovascular events.
Many ultra-processed foods are high in added sugar, salt or refined starch and low in fibre.
Dr Ashish Kumar advises focusing on weekly eating patterns and replacing regular packaged snacks or sugary drinks with healthier options.
- Who
- Dr Ashish Kumar, senior consultant in cardiology at Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, explains research on ultra-processed foods and heart health.
- What
- Research links greater daily consumption of ultra-processed food with higher risks of cardiovascular events and hypertension.
- When
- The findings concern regular daily and long-term dietary patterns; the article does not provide a publication date for the studies.
- Where
- The expert quoted is based at Amrita Hospital in Faridabad; the studies involved adults more broadly.
- Why
- Ultra-processed foods may be low in fibre and high in added sugar, salt or refined starch, while displacing healthier foods.
- Studies reviewed
- 41 prospective studies
- Participants
- More than 8.2 million adults
- Cardiovascular-event association
- A 5.9% increase for each additional 100 grams of ultra-processed food consumed daily
- Hypertension association
- A 14.5% increase for each additional 100 grams consumed daily
- Framingham finding
- Each additional daily serving was associated with a 7% higher risk of major cardiovascular events
- Expert
- Dr Ashish Kumar, Sr. Consultant, Cardiology, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad
- Suggested alternatives
- Fruit, unsalted nuts and water