Caring for cardiovascular health/ Here are the 5 most harmful foods for the heart

2026-05-05 07:59:00, Shëndeti CNA

Caring for cardiovascular health/ Here are the 5 most harmful foods for the

While many factors can cause heart problems, diet appears to play a significant role. Not eating the right foods can put your heart health at risk.

Get to know the worst foods for your heart that you should avoid to prevent the risk:

1. Processed foods

Consuming processed foods that are high in salt and sugar can be harmful to our cardiovascular health. Processed meats are the worst foods for your heart. Hot dogs, sausages, and salami are the worst types of processed meat for your heart. A 2021 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found a link between higher consumption of processed foods and higher CVDs.

2. Fatty foods

Two types of fat, known as saturated fat, are believed to be potentially harmful to heart health. Saturated fat is commonly found in beef, pork, chicken, full-fat dairy, and oils. Trans fat is commonly found in fried foods, margarine, baked goods, and processed foods, such as microwave popcorn.

3. Fried foods

Eating fried foods can increase blood pressure levels, lower "good" HDL cholesterol, and obesity, all of which can increase your risk of heart disease. A study published in the British Medical Journal found that eating fried foods can increase your risk of serious heart disease and stroke. Another study published in Public Health Nutrition, which studied more than 16,000 participants between 2003 and 2007, found that two or more servings of fried fish per week may increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.

4. Sugary foods

Regularly consuming sugary foods can put you at risk for heart disease over time. A study published in the journal BMC Medicine found that eating too much sugar can be harmful to your heart. So, you should avoid sugary foods and drinks, such as cookies, cakes, candy, and sodas, which can contribute to obesity and harm your heart health.

5. Refined carbohydrates

Refined carbohydrates or carbs are foods that have gone through a manufacturing process that removes most of their nutritional value. They can deprive a food of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols. Nutritionists say that refined carbohydrates, found in white bread, etc., have absolutely no fiber and other nutrients, which again leads to weight gain and an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease. /CNA