Ultra-Processed Foods and Heart Health: What a New Study Found

Photo courtesy of The Guardian

Many of the quick and affordable foods families depend on each day fall into a category known as ultra-processed foods. They include items like soda, packaged snacks, and processed meats. These foods are heavily altered during manufacturing and often contain added sugars, fats, salt, and preservatives.

Today, ultra-processed foods make up about 60% of the average adult diet in the United States and nearly 70% of children’s diets.

A new national study suggests this may matter more than we realized.

Findings 

Researchers from Florida Atlantic University analyzed data from 4,787 U.S. adults using information from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Their findings were published in The American Journal of Medicine.

The study found that adults who ate the highest amounts of ultra-processed foods had a 47% higher risk of heart attack or stroke compared to those who ate the lowest amounts even after accounting for factors like age, sex, smoking, income, and race.

Why does this matter? 

Heart disease and stroke are among the leading causes of death in the United States and worldwide. At the same time, ultra-processed food intake continues to rise.

Previous research has already linked high intake of ultra-processed foods to:

• Obesity

• High blood pressure

• High cholesterol

• Insulin resistance

• Increased inflammation

  
  

This new study strengthens the concern by directly linking high ultra-processed food intake to heart attack and stroke risk as well.

What are ultra-processed foods? 

Ultra-processed foods or UPFs are products that have been heavily modified from their original form. They often contain ingredients not typically used in home cooking, such as emulsifiers, artificial flavors, and added colors.

Common examples include:

• Sugary drinks

• Packaged chips and snack foods

• Candy

• Processed meats

  
  

These foods tend to be convenient and affordable, which makes them a large part of many people’s diets.

The researchers note that reducing ultra-processed foods may be challenging. These products dominate grocery store shelves and are often heavily marketed. In many communities, access to fresh, minimally processed foods is also limited.

As one of the study authors explained, improving health is not just about personal choices, it’s also about creating environments where healthier options are easier to access and afford.

Moving forward 

This study does not mean you have to eliminate every packaged food and we know that is not realistic. It does; however, suggest that reducing overall intake of ultra-processed foods may help lower heart disease risk over time.

Simple steps might include:

• Choosing water more often instead of sugary drinks

• Adding a canned vegetable or frozen fruit to a meal

• Rinsing canned beans to reduce sodium and adding them to rice or pasta

• Cooking larger batches when time and resources allow so leftovers are available later

• Looking for low sodium and low trans-fat packaged goods when selecting them

Small changes can truly create large impacts. 

Ultra-processed foods are now a regular part of many American diets. Heart disease is complex, and no single food causes it. However, this research adds to growing evidence that our overall eating patterns play an important role in long-term health. Simply becoming more aware of how often ultra-processed foods show up in our meals can be a meaningful first step toward supporting better heart health over time

Publication source: Florida Atlantic University. (2026, February 10). Ultra-processed foods linked to 47% higher risk of heart attack and stroke. ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 24, 2026 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260210040602.htm