Montreal Study Ties 23%-38% of Cardiovascular Cases to Ultra-Processed Food

2 articles · Updated · The Independent · Jul 16

23% to 38% of cardiovascular disease events in 2019 were attributable to ultra-processed food intake in the Canadian modelling study, equal to 58,200-96,000 new cases and 10,600-17,400 deaths.
A 20% to 50% cut in ultra-processed food consumption could have prevented 16,800-45,900 new cardiovascular cases and 3,100-8,300 deaths, the researchers said in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
UK diets show the scale of exposure: ultra-processed foods account for 56% of average calories and 68% among teenagers, far above levels in countries such as France and Italy.
Critics said the paper models risk rather than tracking real patients and may be capturing the known harms of sugar, salt and saturated fat—especially from sugary drinks and processed meats—rather than processing itself.
The findings add to pressure for taxes, front-of-pack labels, marketing curbs and reformulation targets as health groups argue the food environment shapes cardiovascular and stroke risk.

Sources

The Independent4h ago

University of Montreal Links Ultra-Processed Food to Quarter of Cardiovascular Disease Cases and Deaths

The Guardian12h ago

Study: Ultra-Processed Foods Linked to 23-38% of Heart Disease Deaths, Thousands Preventable

If these foods are so harmful, why are heart disease deaths in developed nations declining?

Are ultra-processed foods becoming the new tobacco for health regulators?

Beyond sugar and salt, what hidden dangers in processed foods are scientists now uncovering?

Ultra-Processed Foods Linked to 25% of Heart Disease Deaths: New Evidence, Policy Challenges, and What You Can Do

Overview

In 2026, new research from Montreal University highlighted a strong link between eating ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and heart disease. This study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, revealed that UPFs place a heavy burden on public health, especially in high-income countries. The findings are important not just for Canada, but also for other nations like the UK, where cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death. The report shows that diets high in UPFs can greatly increase the risk of heart problems, making it clear that reducing UPF consumption is crucial for better health worldwide.

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