A new clinical consensus statement from the European Society of Cardiology and the European Association of Preventive Cardiology advises heart doctors to recommend that patients cook at home more often, avoid eating late at night, and chew food slowly to reduce ultra-processed food (UPF) intake. The statement, published in the European Heart Journal, aims to help limit the growing health risks associated with UPFs, which include obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and cardiovascular death.
Key Recommendations for Heart Patients
The statement urges cardiologists to routinely ask patients about their UPF consumption and incorporate counseling into outpatient clinics and lifestyle assessments. Specific advice includes encouraging patients to cook at home more frequently, discussing the benefits of avoiding late eating, and promoting high-fiber, minimally processed foods with slower, mindful eating to enhance satiety and reduce overeating of UPFs.
Practical Tips for Reducing UPFs
Doctors are advised to use visual aids, such as images of UPF products, to help patients identify these foods. Additional tips include choosing plain over flavored yoghurt, replacing sugary drinks with water, and reading nutrition labels before purchasing. Dr. Kawther Hashem, senior lecturer at Queen Mary University of London, emphasizes the importance of reducing salt intake for heart patients, as it lowers blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.
Evidence Supporting Home Cooking
Prof. Luigina Guasti, co-author of the paper, states: 'Evidence shows that people who cook more meals at home tend to have better overall diet quality and eat less ultra-processed food. Even small and gradual increases in home-prepared meals can improve health over time.' The statement is based on a review of existing evidence linking UPFs to adverse health outcomes.
Broader Implications and Calls for Government Action
Tracy Parker, senior dietitian at the British Heart Foundation, notes that individuals can only do so much alone and calls for government action to create a healthier food environment. With an estimated 8 million people in the UK diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, which claims about 170,000 lives annually, the recommendations aim to address one of the country's biggest killers.
