Observational study finds 47% increased cardiovascular disease risk among high ultra-processed food consumers — Evidence Review
Published in The American Journal of Medicine, by researchers from Florida Atlantic University’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine
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Table of Contents
A new study finds that U.S. adults who consume the highest levels of ultra-processed foods face a 47% higher risk of heart attack or stroke. These results align with previous research, which consistently links ultra-processed food intake to increased cardiovascular risk.
- Multiple large cohort studies in both the U.S. and internationally have reported that higher consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality, supporting the findings of this new analysis 1 2 4 6.
- Systematic reviews and meta-analyses reinforce that ultra-processed foods are linked with adverse cardiometabolic outcomes, including obesity, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome, and no research has demonstrated beneficial health effects from high UPF intake 2 3 4 5.
- While some reviews note that evidence quality varies and causality is not yet fully established, the overall body of research supports recommendations to limit ultra-processed foods as part of a heart-healthy dietary pattern 4 10 11.
Study Overview and Key Findings
As ultra-processed foods (UPFs) become increasingly prevalent in the American diet, concerns about their health impact have grown. Previous research has linked UPF consumption to metabolic disturbances and markers of inflammation, but direct associations with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have been less studied, especially in large, nationally representative U.S. samples. This new study from Florida Atlantic University’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine adds to a growing body of evidence by analyzing self-reported dietary and health data from nearly 5,000 U.S. adults, focusing specifically on the relationship between UPF intake and risk of heart attack and stroke.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Study Year | 2026 |
| Organization | Florida Atlantic University’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine |
| Journal Name | The American Journal of Medicine |
| Authors | Yanna Willett, Chengwu Yang, John Dunn, Katerina Benson, Kevin Sajan, Allison Ferris, Timothy Dye, Charles H. Hennekens |
| Population | U.S. adults age 18 and older |
| Sample Size | n=4,787 |
| Methods | Observational Study |
| Outcome | Cardiovascular disease risk |
| Results | 47% higher risk of cardiovascular disease for high UPF consumers |
Literature Review: Related Studies
We searched the Consensus paper database, which includes over 200 million research papers, to identify related studies on ultra-processed foods and cardiovascular disease. The following search queries were used:
- ultra-processed foods cardiovascular disease
- heart disease risk ultra-processed food consumption
- dietary patterns heart health outcomes
Summary Table of Key Topics and Findings
| Topic | Key Findings |
|---|---|
| What is the association between ultra-processed food intake and cardiovascular disease risk? | - Higher UPF consumption is consistently associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and mortality 1 2 4 5 6. - These associations persist after adjusting for other dietary and lifestyle factors, and are observed across multiple countries 1 2 6. |
| How do ultra-processed foods affect other health outcomes? | - High UPF intake is linked with increased risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome, depression, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers; no studies report health benefits from high UPF consumption 2 3 4 5. - Some evidence suggests possible links to gastrointestinal diseases and frailty 3 5. |
| Can changing dietary patterns reduce cardiovascular risk? | - Adhering to heart-healthy dietary patterns (e.g., DASH, Mediterranean, plant-based) is associated with lower risk of CVD and improved blood pressure 7 8 9 10 11. - Limiting UPF intake and increasing consumption of minimally processed foods is recommended by health organizations 10. |
| What mechanisms might explain the health risks of ultra-processed foods? | - Potential mechanisms include poor nutritional composition, presence of additives, high salt/sugar/fat content, and promotion of inflammation 1 3 4. - Further research is needed to clarify causal pathways and long-term impacts 1 4. |
What is the association between ultra-processed food intake and cardiovascular disease risk?
Several large-scale observational studies and meta-analyses have found that increased consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with a higher risk of various cardiovascular outcomes, including overall CVD, coronary heart disease, stroke, and related mortality. The new study's finding of a 47% higher risk among high UPF consumers is in line with these prior reports, further strengthening the observed link between UPFs and heart disease risk in both U.S. and international populations 1 2 4 5 6.
- The NutriNet-Santé cohort in France and the Framingham Offspring Study in the U.S. both found dose-dependent increases in CVD risk with higher UPF intake 1 6.
- Meta-analyses show risk ratios for CVD incidence and mortality ranging from 1.12 to 1.50 for high vs. low UPF consumption 2 4 5.
- Associations persist even after controlling for diet quality, suggesting unique risks from ultra-processed foods 1 2 4.
- The body of evidence supports public health recommendations to limit UPF consumption as a means to reduce CVD risk 4 10.
How do ultra-processed foods affect other health outcomes?
Research has also linked high UPF consumption to a variety of non-cardiovascular adverse health outcomes, including obesity, metabolic syndrome, depression, type 2 diabetes, and some forms of cancer. No studies have demonstrated positive health effects from high UPF intake 2 3 4 5.
- Meta-analyses indicate increased risk of all-cause mortality, depression, and gastrointestinal diseases with greater UPF exposure 2 4 5.
- Systematic reviews consistently show associations with excess weight, metabolic disturbances, and frailty 3 5.
- Some studies have observed links to rising rates of certain cancers, such as colorectal cancer, particularly in younger adults 5.
- The absence of any observed beneficial health outcomes from UPFs further highlights their potential risks 3.
Can changing dietary patterns reduce cardiovascular risk?
There is substantial evidence that adopting healthier dietary patterns—emphasizing minimally processed foods, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins—can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. These benefits are observed in diverse populations and are supported by both prospective cohort studies and controlled trials 7 8 9 10 11.
- The DASH and Mediterranean dietary patterns are associated with 20–40% reductions in incident CVD and improved blood pressure 8 9.
- Systematic reviews show that dietary patterns rich in whole, plant-based foods and low in UPFs are linked to better heart health outcomes 7 8 10.
- Health organizations increasingly recommend minimizing UPF intake as part of a comprehensive strategy for cardiovascular prevention 10.
- Adherence to low-inflammatory and low-insulinemic diets is linked to lower risk of major chronic diseases, including CVD and diabetes 11.
What mechanisms might explain the health risks of ultra-processed foods?
Several potential mechanisms have been proposed to explain the observed associations between UPF consumption and adverse health outcomes. These include the poor nutritional profile of many ultra-processed foods, the presence of additives, high levels of salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats, and their potential to promote systemic inflammation 1 3 4.
- Some studies suggest that aspects of processing, rather than just nutrient content, may contribute to health risks 1 4.
- Additives, packaging contaminants, and chemical byproducts formed during processing are areas of active investigation 1 4.
- UPF-rich diets are associated with elevated markers of inflammation, such as C-reactive protein, which are linked to increased CVD risk 1 3.
- More mechanistic and interventional research is needed to clarify causal pathways and inform policy 1 4.
Future Research Questions
Although evidence linking ultra-processed foods to cardiovascular and other health risks is accumulating, important gaps remain. Additional research is needed to determine causality, identify underlying mechanisms, and evaluate effective interventions for reducing UPF consumption at the population level.
| Research Question | Relevance |
|---|---|
| Do randomized controlled trials confirm the causal effect of ultra-processed food consumption on cardiovascular disease risk? | Most evidence is based on observational studies; RCTs are needed to establish causality and inform dietary guidelines 1 2 4. |
| What biological mechanisms mediate the relationship between ultra-processed foods and cardiometabolic outcomes? | Understanding mechanisms (e.g., inflammation, gut microbiome alterations, additive effects) could help target interventions and refine public health recommendations 1 3 4. |
| How do ultra-processed foods impact health across different demographic and socioeconomic groups? | Populations with limited access to healthy foods may be disproportionately affected; research is needed to address health disparities and inform equitable public health strategies 4 10. |
| Can public health policies effectively reduce ultra-processed food consumption and improve cardiovascular outcomes? | Evaluating the real-world impact of educational, regulatory, and environmental interventions is critical for translating evidence into practice and reducing CVD burden 4 10. |
| Are certain types of ultra-processed foods more harmful than others with regard to cardiovascular disease risk? | Disaggregating UPF categories could help identify the most hazardous products and refine dietary recommendations 1 6. |
This new study adds to a robust body of evidence indicating that high consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. While current research strongly supports limiting UPF intake as part of a heart-healthy diet, further studies—especially randomized trials and mechanistic research—are needed to clarify causality, address health disparities, and inform effective public health interventions.