Nutritionally healthy plant-based diets high in ultra-processed foods are not associated with a reduction in cardiovascular disease risk, indicating that ultra-processing may eliminate the protective effects of otherwise healthy plant foods.

When plant foods are heavily processed, they lose their natural fiber and protective compounds, while gaining added sugars, salts, and chemicals. These changes damage the gut bacteria, cause the gut lining to leak, and trigger widespread inflammation. The body then struggles to clear bad cholesterol, blood vessels become damaged, and fatty plaques build up in arteries, leading to heart disease.