4 Worst Foods That Could Harm Your Heart

Cardiologists see right away what happens to your heart when you have a bad diet. In a 2018 report, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that over "600,000 people die of cardiovascular disease in the United States each year. In addition, the CDC also said, CVD is the leading cause of death for both men and women.

According to Denver, Colorado-based National Jewish Health cardiovascular prevention and wellness director, Dr. Andrew Freeman, if one goes to some countries of the world where he has not had any Western lifestyle exposure, it means that a "sedentary lifestyle and eating processed foods," heart ailment is in quite a limited existence.

Still, Freeman, also an American College of Cardiology's Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Section Leadership Council member said, it may not be possible to always get rid of what he called "problem foods."

Thus, moderation and portion management are the keys to improved heart health. Below are 4 of the foods you should avoid if you can, or at least eat in moderation or low amounts:

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Processed meats including cold cuts, hotdogs, and bacon slices, are among the worst foods for the heart as they are rich in saturated fats.

1. Cured and Processed Meats

These foods, including cold cuts, hotdogs, and bacon slices, are among the worst foods for the heart as they are rich in saturated fats.

According to the Center for Cardiovascular Health Medicine at NYU Winthrop Hospital on Long Island, Barbara Geroge, MD, saturated fats increase LDL or "bad cholesterol," compared to HDL or good cholesterol.

You don't have to totally stop eating cold cuts, especially if you love having them in your sandwiches. Just limit your intake of these foods and save hotdogs for rare cravings.

If you plan to continue eating animal meats, opt for the best meat choice like lean red meat, skinless chicken, and fish, among others.

2. Fried Foods

Deep-fried foods are among the top eats you should avoid. Dr. Goldberg said that eating them adds to the risk factors of heart disease, including obesity and high blood pressure.

In a review published in Nutrients in 2015, it was found that eating fried foods four times or more each week is linked to a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.

In addition, the expert said, a healthy substitute for frying is roasting or broiling food. For your meals, Goldberg suggests trying the healthiest cooking oils like olive oil and vegetable oil.

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3. Alcoholic Beverages

Like the one in Alcohol Research & Health, some research proposes that moderate drinkers are at lower heart disease risk than the heavy drinkers and non-drinkers.

This information, though, according to Dr. George, is not "a license to binge drink." In fact, he added, the worst things for the heart are alcoholic beverages because of their calorie and sugar content.

The American Heart Association recommends one alcoholic drink a day for women and two for men. The difference, the association, added, is that women are metabolizing alcohol in a different way. There is a connection, too, between higher consumption of alcohol and other conditions like breast cancer and addiction.

4. Foods with Artificial Trans Fats

According to experts, foods prepared with artificial trans fats are among the most harmful in terms of heart health. These trans fats have been found to lower the good and raise bad cholesterol levels. They increase the risks for other related conditions too, like heart ailment and stroke.

The US Food and Drug Administration or the FDA said in 2015 that trans fats were not safe because of a study that connected them to poor heart health.

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