Harvard study reveals what ultra-processed foods can lead to heart issues

Too much of certain foods Aussies love to eat could be pushing you closer to death, according to new research.

Too many artifically sweetened drinks and processed meat may be pushing you one step closer to heart issues, according to new research.

A study of 115,000 people found that those who ate large amounts of ultra-processed food — particularly processed meat (like sausages, ham and bacon), sugar, artificially sweetened drinks, and sugary breakfast foods — were more likely to have cardiovascular issues or a stroke, a Harvard study published in Lancet revealed.

Ultra-processed foods, which contain ingredients “never or rarely used in kitchens”, make up 42 per cent of most Australian diets, according to Deakin University.

A study was conducted to see which ultra-processed foods posed a serious health risk. Picture: iStock

Declining mortality as a result of consuming too much of such items is due to their link to 32 different health conditions, including cancer and cardiovascular, respiratory and neurodegenerative issues.

The ultra-processed foods were separated into nine subgroups such as packaged sweet snacks and desserts, ready-to-eat products, fats, condiments and sauces, ultra-process breads and breakfast foods, sugar sweetened and artificially sweetened beverages, meat, ooultry and seafood based ready-to-eat products, packaged savory snacks; dairy based desserts; and other.

Alcohol was not considered.

However, the study indicated that not all ultra-processed foods should be demonised in the same way.

Harvard study reveals what ultra-processed foods linked to early death. Picture: iStock

There was an associated risk of cardiovascular disease and drinking artificially sweetened drinks and processed meats such as sausages and bacon.

However, there was an opposite indication for bread, cereal, savoury snacks, dairy desserts and yoghurt.

Another Harvard study, published in BMJ, looked at 75,000 nurses and 40,000 male doctors , and found that those in the highest quarter of consumption for ultra-processed foods had a four per cent higher “all cause mortality” and nine per cent higher mortality from causes other than cancer or cardiovascular diseases.

A follow-up more than 30 years later found that 30,188 of the women, and 18,005 of the men, had died.

Originally published as Harvard study reveals what ultra-processed foods can lead to heart issues