Heart specialists are recommending that individuals with heart conditions prioritize cooking meals at home over consuming highly processed foods. They are also advising patients to eat slowly and avoid late-night meals to improve their heart health.
A group of European heart experts has emphasized the importance of reducing the intake of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) for heart patients, highlighting the significant impact of UPFs on public health. These foods are associated with a higher risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and elevated blood pressure.
According to a clinical consensus statement from the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), studies have shown that consuming UPFs is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular issues, regardless of overall diet quality. The statement acknowledges that current dietary advice in heart clinics often overlooks the negative effects of UPFs, and provides guidance for healthcare professionals on how to assist patients.
The guidance suggests that cardiologists should encourage patients to cook more meals at home, opt for high-fiber, minimally processed foods, and practice mindful eating to reduce the consumption of UPFs. Additionally, doctors are advised to discuss the benefits of avoiding late-night eating and establishing regular meal patterns to promote better overall diet quality and lower UPF intake.
It is recommended that doctors focus on discouraging patients from consuming specific UPFs such as sugary drinks, packaged snacks, and processed meats. Professor Luigina Guasti from the University of Insubria in Italy, one of the lead authors of the statement, highlighted the need for recognizing UPFs as a risk factor and providing clear guidance to patients to prevent cardiovascular issues.
Tracy Parker, a senior dietitian at the British Heart Foundation (BHF), supported the consensus statement, underscoring the link between diets high in ultra-processed foods and an increased risk of heart and circulatory diseases. Parker emphasized the importance of reducing UPF consumption and promoting healthier food choices to improve heart health.
The statement concluded with a call for broader efforts, including governmental policies like the Healthy Food Standard, to create an environment that facilitates healthier eating habits and reduces the prevalence of highly processed foods in society.
