Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death worldwide, responsible for nearly one in three deaths. In Canada, it causes about 14 deaths every hour. While medications play a key role in managing blood pressure and cholesterol, diet continues to strongly influence heart health. Canada has introduced front-of-package warning labels for foods high in saturated fat, sodium, and sugars to help consumers make healthier choices.
The study analyzed data from 2,123 adults aged 40 to 69 years in Québec who had hypertension or high cholesterol but no prior history of major cardiovascular events. Participants were followed for an average of 9.3 years, during which 179 cardiovascular events occurred.
Researchers found that ultra-processed foods made up as much as 41% of participants’ daily diets by weight. A 10% reduction in ultra-processed food intake was associated with about a 13% lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Similar risk reductions were seen for foods displaying front-of-package warning symbols.
Importantly, the protective association between healthier eating and reduced heart disease risk remained even among individuals using blood pressure- or cholesterol-lowering medications. This suggests that medications do not replace the need for dietary improvement.
The findings highlight that reducing intake of ultra-processed foods and foods high in sodium, sugars, and saturated fats may significantly lower cardiovascular risk. Researchers conclude that combining healthy eating habits with appropriate medication use offers the strongest approach to preventing heart disease.
REFERENCE: Leblay, L., Lessard Lord, J., Khandpur, N., Paquette, J. S., and Drouin Chartier, J. P. (2026). Foods of concern, cardiopreventive medication use and risk of cardiovascular diseases: a prospective study in the CARTaGENE cohort. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. DOI 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2026.101234, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916526000432
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