Higher intake of ultra-processed foods is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, even after excluding individuals who altered their diet due to illness, energy misreporters, and those who developed cardiovascular disease within the first two years of follow-up.

Eating lots of ultra-processed foods introduces harmful fats, sugars, and additives into the body, which disrupt the gut bacteria and trigger widespread inflammation. This inflammation activates the lining of blood vessels, causing them to release signals that attract immune cells and promote clotting. Over time, the damaged vessel lining builds up fatty deposits, narrows the arteries, and makes plaques more likely to rupture, causing heart attacks and strokes.