The Claim

Consumption of ultra-processed animal-based foods is associated with a 24% higher risk of overall cardiovascular disease and a 25% higher risk of coronary heart disease.

Source: Cardiovascular disease risk and the balance between animal-based and plant-based foods, nutritional quality, and food processing level in the French NutriNet-Santé cohort: a longitudinal observational study

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
60score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Correlation
1 study reviewed
In plain English

People who eat more ultra-processed animal-based foods have a 24% higher rate of cardiovascular disease and a 25% higher rate of coronary heart disease compared to those who eat less.

See the scientific wording

Ultra-processed animal-based foods are associated with a 24% higher risk of overall cardiovascular disease and a 25% higher risk of coronary heart disease, indicating that processing level may be as important as food source in determining cardiovascular risk.

Why this might work

Eating ultra-processed animal foods introduces additives and excess salt and fat into the gut, which kills off good bacteria and lets harmful substances leak into the bloodstream. This triggers constant low-grade inflammation throughout the body, damages the lining of blood vessels, and causes cholesterol to build up in artery walls, leading to heart attacks and strokes.

Verified mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Cardiovascular disease risk and the balance between animal-based and plant-based foods, nutritional quality, and food processing level in the French NutriNet-Santé cohort: a longitudinal observational study

    This study found that eating processed animal foods like sausages and nuggets raises heart disease risk by about 24-25%, just like the claim says. It also shows that how much a food is processed matters just as much as whether it comes from plants or animals.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.