Frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods increases the risk of developing atherosclerosis, scientists reported in a study published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition.
Participants who consumed the highest amount of ultra-processed items by serving count faced a 40 percent higher risk of developing the arterial condition compared to those with minimal intake. When researchers evaluated consumption by weight in grams, the elevated risk stood at 29 percent among heavy consumers.
The findings were derived from an analysis of data tracking 133,797 participants enrolled in the UK Biobank who initially had no diagnosis of atherosclerosis. Health outcomes were monitored over an observation period of approximately 11 years, during which 654 participants were diagnosed with the condition.
Processing Methods and Dietary Categories
In the study, ultra-processed foods were defined as products subjected to intensive industrial processing that typically contain a high volume of additives. Specific examples highlighted by the authors included sugary drinks, packaged snacks, certain semi-finished products, and processed meats.
Ultra-processed items are generally manufactured from food-derived substances and artificial ingredients, often containing elevated levels of added sugars, fats, and sodium. Frontiers in Nutrition, which published the findings, is an open-access peer-reviewed journal covering clinical nutrition and human metabolic health.
The statistical correlation between high consumption of processed food and an increased risk of arterial disease persisted after researchers adjusted for other lifestyle and physiological factors capable of affecting the cardiovascular system.
Biomarkers and Metabolic Disruptions
A secondary analysis of blood samples revealed that high intake of ultra-processed food was associated with changes in dozens of proteins and metabolites. These biological markers were predominantly tied to disruptions in fat and energy metabolism, as well as systemic inflammatory processes.
Proteins and metabolic compounds circulating in the bloodstream serve as key indicators of cardiovascular health, with fat metabolism playing a critical role in cellular function and energy balance. According to the study authors, these specific blood alterations may partially explain the biological mechanism connecting an ultra-processed diet to vascular damage.
Cardiovascular Impact and Related Findings
Atherosclerosis is a progressive cardiovascular condition characterized by the accumulation of fatty plaques along the walls of the arteries, which can obstruct blood flow and increase the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes. The UK Biobank, which supplied the participant data, is a major biomedical database containing genetic and health records from hundreds of thousands of individuals in the United Kingdom.
In earlier research evaluating the health effects of dietary elements, scientists determined that natural substances contained in mulberries have a favorable impact on intestinal microflora.
