Heart Health Crisis: Processed Foods Implicated

American Heart Association Urges Bold Policy Reforms to Combat Diet-Related Illness

A critical new advisory from the American Heart Association (AHA) reveals stark links between ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and declining cardiometabolic health. The report champions a targeted approach, focusing on foods high in sugar, saturated fat, and sodium (HFSS), and advocates for significant policy interventions to reshape the nation’s eating habits.

UPFs Fueling Chronic Disease Epidemic

New findings confirm that ultra-processed foods, now accounting for over half the calories in the typical American diet, pose a substantial threat. These industrially manufactured products, often created with additives and processing methods not found in home kitchens, are strongly associated with an increased risk of chronic conditions. The AHA advisory, published in Circulation, synthesizes evidence indicating that UPF consumption can elevate the risk of cardiometabolic outcomes by 25% to 58% and overall mortality by 21% to 66%.

The manufacturing processes themselves can introduce independent risks. Additives like the common emulsifier carboxymethylcellulose have been shown to disrupt the gut microbiome, leading to metabolic imbalances, according to the advisory. These ingredients are often approved under the “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) system without rigorous FDA premarket review, leaving their long-term cumulative effects largely unknown.

Recent research from the National Institutes of Health demonstrated this effect vividly. A study comparing unprocessed and ultra-processed diets found participants on the UPF diet consumed approximately 500 extra calories daily and gained significant weight, even when calories, sugar, fat, and fiber were matched.

Targeting High-Risk Foods for Maximum Impact

The AHA advisory underscores the need to prioritize reductions in HFSS UPFs, such as sugary beverages and processed meats. However, it also acknowledges a more nuanced reality: some UPFs, like whole-grain breads or unsweetened plant-based milk alternatives, may offer nutritional benefits or support food security, particularly for vulnerable populations.

The report highlights that UPFs are disproportionately marketed to and consumed by lower-income communities and racial/ethnic minorities, exacerbating existing health disparities. Their widespread availability and affordability, coupled with targeted advertising, contribute to this imbalance.

Policy Reforms Needed to Reshape Diet

To combat this crisis, the AHA advocates for urgent policy reforms. These include implementing front-of-package labeling to help consumers identify UPFs, enacting taxes on foods high in sugar, saturated fat, and sodium, banning harmful additives, and reforming the FDA’s GRAS system to ensure greater consumer safety. California’s recent ban on additives like brominated vegetable oils and red dye 3 serves as a model for such legislative action.

The advisory also points to the broader environmental consequences of UPF production, including biodiversity loss and resource-intensive monoculture farming. A systemic shift away from industrial formulations towards whole and minimally processed foods is essential.

As of 2023, an estimated 73% of the food supply in the U.S. is ultra-processed, according to analysis by the Brookings Institution (Brookings Institution, 2023), underscoring the scale of the challenge.

A Call for Systemic Change

The AHA’s comprehensive review emphasizes that while not all processed foods are detrimental, the UPF-heavy American diet presents a significant and pervasive threat. Achieving better cardiometabolic health requires a multi-pronged strategy. This includes promoting equitable access to nutritious foods, strengthening regulations on food additives, incentivizing the food industry to reformulate products, and fostering sustainable agricultural practices.