If one of your health goals is to support your cardiovascular health, you’re likely familiar with the benefits of the Mediterranean diet and DASH diet. Both eating plans have a wealth of scientific research showing that they support heart health (as well as the rest of the body, for that matter).
But what about the absolute worst diet for heart health? Can you guess what it is? There’s certainly a long list of eating plans to consider, such as Paleo, keto and the carnivore diet. We asked three cardiologists what the worst diet for heart health was and they all had the same exact answer. Keep reading to see what they said.
? SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week ?
All three cardiologists we talked to say that the worst diet for heart health is one that primarily consists of ultra-processed foods. Dr. Megan Kamath, MD, a cardiologist at UCLA Health, says that foods high in sugar, salt and fat (all commonly found in ultra-processed foods) negatively impact heart health. She adds that many ultra-processed foods contain preservatives and dyes, which also are harmful to heart health.
Scientific research shows that a diet high in ultra-processed foods is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. As Dr. Kamath explained, the trifecta of sugar, salt and fat can all negatively impact heart health. According to scientific research, having a high-sodium diet increases the risk of cardiovascular disease by 19%. This is why the American Heart Association recommends capping sodium intake at no more than 2,300 milligrams a day.
Related: If You Want to Lower Your Heart Attack Risk, Cardiologists Say You Should Do This One Thing Every Day
Similarly to salt, sugar also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease because it can cause high blood pressure. As for fat, while unsaturated fats (found in foods like fish, nuts and avocado) are beneficial for heart health, ultra-processed foods typically include saturated fats, which increases LDL cholesterol levels and, in turn, increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
In addition to avoiding a diet high in ultra-processed foods, Dr. Mohanakrishnan Sathyamoorthy, MD, FACC, a cardiologist and the Chair of Internal Medicine at Burnett School of Medicine at Texas Christian University, says that people with cardiovascular disease or who have had a heart attack or stroke in the past should avoid the carnivore diet, an eating plan that only allows consumption of meat, poultry, eggs, seafood and some dairy products. He says that the foods that make up this eating plan are known to lead to very high cholesterol levels and inflammation.
Related: What's More Important for Heart Health: Lowering Cholesterol or Saturated Fat?
What To Keep In Mind When Trying a New Eating Plan
Dr. Sawalla Guseh, MD, a cardiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, says he is not opposed to people trying a new dietary plan and that there is not one perfect way of eating for everyone. But if you do try a new way of eating, he says it’s important to see how it impacts your blood pressure and cholesterol numbers.
“Most diets will influence your numbers,” Dr. Guseh says. “If you are taking on a new diet and it has an unfavorable effect on your cholesterol, then you need to reconsider if that diet is right for you.” Different dietary plans may affect people differently. For example, Dr. Guseh says that a Paleo diet may have a positive impact on some people but raise LDL cholesterol in others. The key is finding what eating plan is best for you.
Related: 'I'm a Cardiologist—This Is the One Workout I Do Multiple Times a Week for Heart Health'
While there isn’t one eating plan that’s necessarily best for everyone, there’s no debate that some foods are beneficial for heart health. “Increasing consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables, healthy nuts like raw almonds or walnuts and consuming smaller meals and healthy snacks throughout the day can keep hunger satisfied, boost energy and help you avoid large portion sizes during lunch or dinner,” Dr. Sathyamoorthy says. Dr. Kamath adds to this, saying, “A whole foods, plant-based diet would be the best for heart health. Aim for five servings of fruits and vegetables a day and drink lots of water.”
If you have any questions about how your diet is impacting your heart, make an appointment with a primary healthcare provider or cardiologist to have your numbers checked. That way, you know exactly how your body is being affected by what you eat. If you do need to make any changes, it may be beneficial to work with a nutritionist or dietitian who can help you find ways to eat meals you love while looking after your heart.
Next Up:
Related: 25 Mouthwatering Foods That Are Great for Your Heart
Sources
Dr. Megan Kamath, MD, cardiologist at UCLA HealthDr. Mohanakrishnan Sathyamoorthy, MD, FACC, cardiologist and the Chair of Internal Medicine at Burnett School of Medicine at Texas Christian UniversityDr. Sawalla Guseh, MD, cardiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Cardiologists Can't Stand This One Popular Diet )
Also on site :
- Andrea Fuder, Chief Purchasing Officer at Volvo Group has tragically passed away
- Romania holds runoff vote in presidential election rerun
- Lawyer admits ‘embarrassing’ mistake after Anthropic’s Claude made up a source in a legal filing—and no one caught it