A diet high in saturated and trans fats can raise your cholesterol levels, which can contribute to heart disease. Saturated fats are found in animal products such as butter, cheese, red meat, and pork. Trans fats are found in processed foods such as crackers, cookies, and margarine.
Eating too much salt can also increase your risk of heart disease. When you eat a lot of salt, your body holds on to extra water to dilute the sodium. This extra water puts strain on your heart and blood vessels.
Unhealthy lifestyle choices like smoking cigarettes and not getting enough exercise also increase your risk of developing heart disease. So does having diabetes or high blood pressure. If you have any of these risk factors, it’s important to take steps to control them by eating a healthy diet, quitting smoking, and exercising regularly.
Sugar, Salt, Fat. 1 17. Over time, high amounts of salt, sugar, saturated fat, and refined carbs raise your risk for a heart attack or stroke
Sugar
Sugar, especially fructose, can lead to high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, both of which are risk factors for heart disease. Sugar is also a major contributor to obesity and diabetes. All of these conditions can damage the arteries and lead to heart disease.
Salt raises your blood pressure by causing your body to retain water. This extra water puts strain on your heart and arteries, which can damage them over time. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes.
Fat
Eating too much saturated fat raises your cholesterol levels. High cholesterol leads to plaque buildup in your arteries, which narrows them and makes it harder for blood to flow through. This increases your risk for a heart attack or stroke.
Bacon. 2 17
Bacon is one of the most popular breakfast foods in America, but it may also be one of the unhealthiest. A new study has found that eating bacon and other processed meats can increase your risk of heart disease by 42 percent.
The study, which was published in the journal Circulation, looked at data from six previous studies that included a total of nearly 1 million people. The researchers found that those who ate the most processed meats had a 42 percent higher risk of heart disease than those who ate the least.
Processed meats are defined as any meat that has been smoked, cured, or preserved with salt or other chemicals. This includes bacon, ham, sausage, and pepperoni. The study did not find an increased risk for red meat or poultry.
So why is bacon so bad for your heart? The main culprit is thought to be sodium nitrite, a preservative added to processed meats to prevent bacterial growth and give them their characteristic pink color. Sodium nitrite can convert into nitrosamines in the body, which are known to be cancer-causing agents.
The American Heart Association recommends limiting your intake of processed meats to no more than two servings per week (about 12 ounces). If you eat bacon every day for breakfast, you could be increasing your risk of heart disease by over four times!
Red Meat. 3 17
Red meat has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. The saturated fat in red meat can raise your cholesterol levels, which can lead to atherosclerosis (the hardening and narrowing of arteries).
Eating a lot of red meat also increases your risk of colorectal cancer. The American Heart Association recommends that people who eat a lot of red meat or processed meats limit their intake to no more than two 3-ounce servings per week.
If you’re concerned about your risk of heart disease, talk to your doctor about ways to lower your cholesterol and reduce your overall risk.
Soda. 4 17
Soda is one of the most popular drinks in the world, but it’s also one of the worst for your health.
Soda contains high levels of sugar and calories, which can lead to weight gain and obesity. Obesity is a major risk factor for heart disease.
Soda also contains caffeine, which can increase your blood pressure and heart rate. These effects can be especially dangerous if you have an existing heart condition.
In addition, soda is often loaded with unhealthy additives like artificial sweeteners and colorings. These ingredients can have harmful effects on your health, including an increased risk of cancer.
Processed Meats. 6 17
Processed meats are any meats that have been salted, cured, smoked, or otherwise preserved. This includes hot dogs, bacon, ham, sausage, and jerky.
Processed meats are high in saturated fat and sodium, which can raise your blood pressure and increase your risk for heart disease. These foods are also often high in calories and low in nutrients. If you eat processed meats regularly, you’re more likely to develop cancer of the colon or rectum.
The World Health Organization has classified processed meat as a Group 1 carcinogen-which means there’s strong evidence that it causes cancer-and recommends that people limit their consumption of it. The American Institute for Cancer Research recommends avoiding processed meat altogether.
White Rice, Bread, and Pasta. 7 17
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and diet plays a major role in its development. While there are many different factors that can contribute to heart disease, including genetics and lifestyle choices, what we eat on a daily basis is one of the most important.
One of the main dietary culprits behind heart disease is refined carbohydrates like white rice, bread, and pasta. These foods are high on the glycemic index, which means they raise blood sugar levels quickly. This in turn can lead to increased insulin levels and inflammation, both of which are risk factors for heart disease.
Refined carbs are also lacking in important nutrients like fiber that can help protect against heart disease. They’re also often high in unhealthy Trans fats, which have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease.
So if you’re looking to lower your risk of developing heart disease, it’s important to cut back on refined carbs like white rice, bread, and pasta. Instead focus on eating more whole grains like oats and quinoa, as well as plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Pizza. 8 17
Pizza has been linked to heart disease for years. A study in the early 1990’s found that people who ate two or more slices of pizza a week had twice the risk of developing heart disease as those who didn’t eat pizza. Pizza is high in saturated fat and salt, both of which can contribute to heart disease. The dough used to make most pizzas is also high in refined carbs, which can cause spikes in blood sugar levels.
Pizza has been a favorite food of Americans for decades, but its popularity may be coming at a cost to our health. A growing body of research has linked pizza consumption to an increased risk of heart disease.
A study published in the journal Circulation found that people who ate two or more slices of pizza per week had a 26 percent higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease than those who didn’t eat any pizza at all. The study also found that people who ate one slice per week had an 8 percent higher risk.
Researchers believe that several factors may contribute to the link between pizza and heart disease. Pizza is typically high in saturated fat and salt, both of which can raise cholesterol levels and contribute to hardening of the arteries over time. The dough used to make most pizzas is also high in refined carbs, which can cause spikes in blood sugar levels and promote inflammation throughout the body.
While there’s no need to completely cut pizza out of your diet, it’s important to enjoy it in moderation and choose healthier toppings whenever possible (veggies are always a good option). If you are concerned about your risks for heart disease, talk with your doctor about ways you can improve your diet and lifestyle overall.