- A Swedish study of 25,000 middle-aged adults found that diets low in fiber and high in red meat significantly increase the risk of unstable, rupture-prone plaques in coronary arteries, which can trigger sudden heart attacks.
- Advanced imaging (CCTA) revealed that unhealthy diets lead to soft, fatty plaques more likely to rupture, even in arteries without severe narrowing, posing a greater danger than hardened, calcified deposits.
- Anti-inflammatory foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains) correlated with healthier arteries, while processed foods and red meat were linked to plaque buildup. Poor diets also worsen obesity, high blood pressure and triglyceride levels.
- Men were more likely to have poor diets, but women faced higher plaque risks. Unhealthy eating often coincided with smoking, inactivity and lower education, compounding heart disease risks.
- The study advocates for Mediterranean-style diets, emphasizing fiber (25-35g/day), plant-based meals and whole grains to reduce inflammation and prevent life-threatening plaque formation.
A groundbreaking Swedish study has exposed a disturbing link between poor dietary habits and the silent buildup of deadly plaques in the heart’s arteries.
The authors of the study, published June 16 in Cardiovascular Research, examined almost 25,000 middle-aged adults. They found that those who consumed diets low in fiber and high in red meat were significantly more likely to develop unstable, rupture-prone deposits in their coronary arteries. These blockages are capable of triggering sudden heart attacks without warning.
For decades, public health experts have warned about the dangers of processed foods and excessive red meat. But this study, conducted as part of Sweden’s largest heart imaging project, goes further.
Using advanced coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), researchers identified “high-risk” plaques – soft, fatty deposits that can rupture unexpectedly, causing blockages even in arteries that aren’t severely narrowed. Unlike hardened, calcified plaques, these unstable deposits are far more likely to cause catastrophic cardiac events. (Related: Western diets still contain too much processed meat and not enough fish, warn researchers.)
The study classified participants based on dietary inflammation scores. Those who regularly ate anti-inflammatory foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and olive oil had healthier arteries.
In stark contrast, individuals favoring red meat, processed snacks and sugary drinks showed alarming trends: 44.3 percent had detectable plaques compared to just 36.3 percent in the healthiest group. Worse, the low-fiber, high-meat group had 67 percent higher odds of developing the most dangerous plaque type – non-calcified deposits with significant artery narrowing.
Metabolic mayhem: Waistlines and blood pressure
Diet doesn’t act alone, as the study identified waist circumference, triglyceride levels and hypertension as key mediators.
Participants with poor diets were more likely to be overweight, have elevated blood fats and suffer from high blood pressure – all factors that exacerbate plaque formation. When adjusted for these variables, the direct diet-plaque link weakened, suggesting that metabolic dysfunction is a critical pathway between food choices and heart disease.
Heart disease remains the world’s leading killer, with atherosclerosis (plaque buildup) responsible for most cardiovascular deaths. For years, medical focus centered on cholesterol and artery blockages. But this study underscores a paradigm shift: plaque composition matters more than size.
The Swedish findings align with decades of research praising Mediterranean-style diets rich in fiber and healthy fats, while condemning processed Western diets. Yet despite overwhelming evidence, public adherence to heart-healthy eating remains frustratingly low.
The data revealed troubling disparities. Men accounted for 62 percent of the worst dietary group, while women with poor diets faced even steeper plaque risks. Lower education levels, smoking and sedentary habits clustered with unhealthy eating, painting a grim picture of lifestyle neglect.
Professor Isabel Goncalves, the study’s lead author, emphasized that the diet’s impact extends beyond calories. It shapes inflammation, metabolism and ultimately survival.
The solution isn’t radical. Swap processed meats for legumes, choose whole grains over refined carbs and prioritize plant-based meals. Aim for 25 to 35 grams of fiber daily – a simple adjustment with life-saving potential.
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Sources include:
StudyFinds.org
Academic.OUP.com
New-Medical.net
LundUnivesity.lu.se
Brighteon.com
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