Heart Disease & Fried Food — Is there actually a correlation?

Did you know that with each additional 4 oz. serving of fried food the risk increases for cardiovascular events, such as a heart attack or a stroke?

A recent analysis detailed the increased risk(s) of consuming a high fried diet, as opposed to one that illustrated fried food eaten in moderation. In fact “Compared with those who ate the least fried food, those who ate the most had a 37% increased risk of heart failure” (MNT). Many are quick to blame health issues on genetics, but when it boils down to the true issue, most are shocked to find that those same issues revolved heavily around their diet.

While fried food of course tastes delicious, it can also be high in calories due to the flour coating. In addition to the high calories, many fried foods, especially those from fast-food chains, contain trans-fats, raising the level of ‘bad’ cholesterol in your body.

Science has also confirmed that fried foods lead to obesity, diabetes (type 2), hypertension and coronary artery disease. Studies are currently ongoing to prove the link to heart disease; however, physicians do not hesitate to point out the possible connection when assessing one’s health. In fact, in this particular meta-analysis: “The researchers found that, compared with respondents who ate the least amount of fried food, those who ate the most had a 28% increased risk of major cardiovascular events, a 22% increased risk of coronary heart disease, and a 37% increased risk of heart failure.”

More research is needed to make a fair conclusion. Because we do not eat food in insolation, it’s difficult to analyze one particular type of food, such as those high in fat, without seeing the effects over a large amount of time. “Importantly, other factors that go with eating fried food could also be contributing to risk, like a tendency to drink more sugary drinks, added salt use, eating other unhealthy foods, less exercise, smoking, and deprivation levels. Much of this data may not have been captured in prior studies so cannot be fully accounted for” (MNT).

Do you think it’s fair to draw the conclusion that fried food, or those high in trans-fats, can contribute to heart disease? We’d love to hear your input!