Heart specialists are recommending that heart patients prioritize home-cooked meals over ultra-processed foods (UPFs) to safeguard their health. Additionally, they advise patients to consume their meals at a slower pace and avoid eating late at night.
A group of European heart experts emphasized the importance of reducing UPF consumption in a recent consensus statement, pointing out that UPFs pose a significant public health risk and are associated with an elevated likelihood of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.
The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) clinical consensus statement underscores that studies have shown a connection between UPF intake and increased cardiovascular risk, often independently of one’s overall diet quality. However, the statement notes that UPFs are not adequately addressed in current dietary guidance provided in heart clinics, prompting the need for better nutritional counseling for patients.
The consensus statement suggests that cardiologists should encourage patients to cook more meals at home to steer clear of UPFs, adopt slower eating habits, and avoid late-night snacking. It also recommends promoting high-fiber, minimally processed foods and mindful eating to reduce the consumption of UPFs and enhance satiety.
Furthermore, the guidance advises healthcare providers to caution against specific UPFs such as sugary drinks, packaged snacks, and processed meats. Professor Luigina Guasti, one of the lead authors of the statement, highlighted the importance of recognizing UPFs as a potential risk factor for cardiovascular disease and providing clear guidance to patients on limiting UPF intake.
Tracy Parker, a senior dietitian at the British Heart Foundation (BHF), supported the consensus statement’s findings, emphasizing the need to reduce UPF consumption to lower the risk of heart and circulatory diseases. Parker stressed the importance of cutting back on items like cakes, biscuits, and ready-made snacks while advocating for cooking homemade meals as a means of improving overall diet quality and promoting heart health. She also called for governmental policies, like the Healthy Food Standard, to facilitate access to less processed and healthier food options.
