Packaged snacks, sugary drinks, instant foods, and ready-to-eat meals are becoming increasingly common worldwide, causing harm to long-term heart health.
- Adults with the highest ultra-processed food intake showed up to 19% higher heart disease risk
- Experts say industrial food processing itself may affect inflammation, metabolism, and heart health
- India’s ultra-processed food market grew sharply from USD 0.9 billion in 2006 to USD 37.9 billion in 2019
People who eat large amounts of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) may face a significantly higher risk of heart disease,
Ultra-processed foods, lifestyle management, and cardiovascular diseases: A clinical consensus statement of the European Society of Cardiology Council for Cardiology Practice and the European Association of Preventive Cardiology of the European Society of Cardiology
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).
It comes at a time when packaged snacks, sugary drinks, instant foods, processed breads, and ready-to-eat meals are becoming increasingly common worldwide, including in India.
A study found that India’s ultra-processed food market grew sharply from USD 0.9 billion in 2006 to USD 37.9 billion in 2019. Experts say the concern is no longer just about fat, sugar, or salt, but also about how industrial food processing itself may affect long-term health (2✔ ✔Trusted Source
Mapping ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in India: a formative research study
Go to source).
What Exactly Are Ultra-Processed Foods and Why Are They Suddenly Under Scrutiny?
Ultra-processed foods, often abbreviated as UPFs, are industrially manufactured products made with extracted ingredients, additives, preservatives, flavor enhancers, sweeteners, colors, and processing techniques rarely used in home kitchens (4✔ ✔Trusted Source
Most of the Foods We Eat Are Ultra-Processed. Are They All Unhealthy?
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).
The concept comes from the NOVA food classification system, which categorizes foods based on the extent and purpose of industrial processing.
According to a major The Lancet series on UPFs and human health, foods are divided into four NOVA groups, ranging from minimally processed foods to ultra-processed foods (3✔ ✔Trusted Source
Ultra-processed foods and human health: the main thesis and the evidence
Go to source).
Understanding the NOVA Food Classification System
Researchers say understanding the NOVA system helps explain why some packaged foods may affect health differently from traditional home-cooked meals.
| NOVA Group | Type of Food | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | Unprocessed or minimally processed foods | Fruits, vegetables, milk, eggs, pulses, fish |
| Group 2 | Processed culinary ingredients | Salt, sugar, oils, butter |
| Group 3 | Processed foods | Cheese, canned vegetables, fresh bread |
| Group 4 | Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) | Soft drinks, packaged snacks, instant noodles, processed meats, sugary cereals |
Researchers say the significance of this classification is that it shifts attention away from individual nutrients alone and focuses on how industrial processing changes the structure, additives, texture, and biological effects of food itself.
Unlike traditionally processed foods, UPFs are often designed to be hyper-palatable—meaning extremely appealing and easy to overeat. They are typically ready-to-eat, have long shelf lives, and are heavily marketed.
Examples include:
Soft drinks and packaged fruit drinks- Chips, cookies, candies, and packaged snacks
- Instant noodles and ready-to-eat frozen meals
- Processed meats such as sausages and nuggets
- Sugary breakfast cereals and flavored yogurts
How Strong Is the Link Between Ultra-Processed Foods and Heart Disease?
The new European consensus report states that adults with the highest intake of UPFs have:
- Up to 19% higher risk of heart disease
- 13% higher risk of
atrial fibrillation , a heart rhythm disorder - Up to 65% higher risk of cardiovascular death compared to those consuming the least UPFs
The report also linked UPFs to several major cardiovascular risk factors, including:
- Obesity
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Chronic kidney disease
- Elevated unhealthy blood fats
Professor Luigina Guasti explained: “UPFs, made from industrial ingredients and additives, have largely replaced traditional diets. Research suggests these foods are linked to several risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure, and to the risk of developing and dying from heart disease.”
The authors noted that the evidence has become increasingly consistent across large population studies conducted in different countries and age groups.
Why Could Ultra-Processed Foods Harm the Heart Beyond Sugar and Fat?
Experts say the risks of UPFs cannot be explained only by calories, sugar, or unhealthy fats. Increasingly, researchers believe industrial processing itself may influence health through multiple biological pathways.
Dr. Marialaura Bonaccio said the associations between UPFs and heart disease are “consistent and biologically plausible.”
Researchers believe several mechanisms may contribute:
- UPFs are high in salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats
- Many contain additives, preservatives, emulsifiers, and artificial sweeteners
- Industrial processing alters the natural food structure or “food matrix”
- Softer textures and hyper-palatable designs encourage overeating
- Lower fibre content may reduce satiety, meaning people feel less full
The Lancet UPF series explained that these foods may contribute to:
- Chronic inflammation
- Metabolic disruption
- Gut microbiome imbalance
- Dyslipidemia (unhealthy cholesterol patterns)
- Insulin resistance
- Overeating and weight gain
Researchers also noted that some UPFs may contain compounds generated during processing or packaging that could affect long-term metabolic and cardiovascular health.
Importantly, experts now argue that two foods with similar calorie or fat content may not affect the body in the same way if one is heavily ultra-processed.
Why Is This Becoming a Growing Concern in India?
India is undergoing a major dietary transition. Traditional diets rich in pulses, whole grains, fruits, and freshly prepared foods are increasingly being replaced by packaged and ready-to-eat products.
The recent study found that India currently lacks a standardized national framework for identifying and regulating UPFs.
Researchers identified 81 ultra-processed food items across Indian markets and found that packaged traditional foods were also increasingly containing UPF ingredients.
Some of the most preferred UPFs among Indian consumers included:
- Packaged breads
- Chips and salty snacks
- Sugar-sweetened beverages
- Biscuits and packaged bakery products
The study warned that UPFs are now penetrating rural markets and becoming increasingly common among children and younger populations.
This trend is particularly concerning because India already faces a major cardiovascular disease burden.
According to a review, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in India and affects Indians at younger ages compared with many Western populations.
The review reported that:
- Cardiovascular disease accounted for 26.6% of all deaths in India in 2017
- India saw more than a two-fold increase in cardiovascular disease cases between 1990 and 2016
- Indians often develop heart disease nearly a decade earlier than Europeans
Researchers say the growing availability of energy-dense processed foods, changing lifestyles, reduced physical activity, and urbanization are all contributing to this rise.
Are All Ultra-Processed Foods Equally Harmful?
Experts caution that the UPF category is broad and not every ultra-processed product carries the same level of risk.
Researchers note that while many UPFs are classic “junk foods,” others include packaged whole-grain breads, yogurts, fortified cereals, soy milk, and some plant-based alternatives that may still provide nutritional value.
However, experts emphasize that foods marketed as “healthy” can still be ultra-processed.
The European Society of Cardiology consensus statement specifically warns doctors to explain to patients that foods with good nutritional labels may still be harmful if heavily processed.
Dr. Bonaccio explained: “Disease prevention should not focus solely on nutrients, but also on the degree of food processing. Even foods with good nutritional profiles can be harmful if highly processed.”
At the same time, researchers acknowledge that most evidence linking UPFs to disease comes from observational studies, meaning they show associations rather than direct proof of causation. Long-term interventional trials are still limited.
What Do Experts Say People Should Actually Do?
The new consensus statement does not call for eliminating all packaged foods overnight. Instead, experts recommend gradually shifting diets toward whole and minimally processed foods whenever possible.
The report’s authors recommend that doctors:
- Ask patients about UPF intake during dietary assessments
- Encourage reduction of heavily processed foods
- Promote whole or minimally processed alternatives
- Discuss food processing alongside smoking, exercise, and alcohol habits
Researchers say practical changes may include:
- Choosing fresh meals over ready-to-eat packaged foods
- Reducing sugary drinks and packaged snacks
- Eating more fruits, vegetables, pulses, and whole grains
- Checking ingredient lists for additives and artificial ingredients
The authors also called for stronger food labeling systems, updated dietary guidelines, and better public awareness around food processing.
Final Perspective
The growing scientific focus on ultra-processed foods marks a major shift in how nutrition and chronic disease are understood.
For decades, dietary advice largely focused on nutrients such as fat, sugar, salt, and calories. But emerging evidence suggests the industrial processing of food itself may also influence long-term health.
The new European expert consensus highlights that diets high in UPFs are consistently associated with higher risks of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular death.
As UPFs become increasingly common worldwide—including in India—experts say understanding not just what we eat, but how food is made, may become an important part of protecting long-term heart health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are ultra-processed foods?
A: Ultra-processed foods are industrially manufactured foods made using additives, preservatives, flavor enhancers, and ingredients not commonly used in home cooking.
Q: What is the NOVA food classification system?
A: The NOVA system classifies foods according to the extent and purpose of industrial processing, ranging from minimally processed foods to ultra-processed foods.
Q: How do ultra-processed foods affect heart health?
A: Studies suggest that diets high in UPFs may increase the risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular death.
Q: Are all packaged foods considered ultra-processed?
A: No. Some packaged foods are minimally processed, while others fall into the ultra-processed category depending on ingredients and manufacturing methods.
Q: How can people reduce ultra-processed food intake?
A: Experts recommend eating more fresh and minimally processed foods, reducing packaged snacks and sugary drinks, and checking ingredient labels carefully.
References:
- Ultra-processed foods, lifestyle management, and cardiovascular diseases: A clinical consensus statement of the European Society of Cardiology Council for Cardiology Practice and the European Association of Preventive Cardiology of the European Society of Cardiology – (https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/advance-article/doi/10.1093/eurheartj/ehag226/8661792)
- Mapping ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in India: a formative research study – (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11323379/)
- Ultra-processed foods and human health: the main thesis and the evidence – (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)01565-X/abstract)
- Most of the Foods We Eat Are Ultra-Processed. Are They All Unhealthy? – (https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2025/what-are-ultra-processed-foods)
Source-Medindia