Hampshire Hospitals’ cardiologist, Dr Mark Cassar, has welcomed a report published in medical journal The Lancet, warning people about the damage of ultra processed foods to health.
The piece states that the use of large-scale processing of cheap commodities such as soy and palm oil is “fuelling chronic diseases worldwide.” According to Dr Cassar: “While convenient, reliance on ready meals and processed food ends up costing us more down the line. The problem isn't just missing out on nutrients – it's all the hidden sugar."
What particularly worries Dr Cassar is the rising number of younger patients with Type 2 diabetes. "If we don't get to grips with our diet and cut down on processed food, we're storing up serious problems for the future."
"When diabetes isn't well controlled, it speeds up the damage to blood vessels throughout the body," explains Dr Cassar. "The arteries can become inflamed and narrowed by fatty deposits, which increases the risk of angina and heart attacks. It can also damage the tiny blood vessels in the heart muscle itself. What concerns me is that people with diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop heart disease."
This damage also affects how heart problems can be treated. "Diabetic patients often develop narrowings in smaller, more widespread areas of their arteries, which means they're more likely to need bypass surgery rather than stents. That's a much bigger operation with a longer recovery."
In a bid to discourage people from reliance on processed food, Dr Cassar explains that eating simply is the key, emphasising the importance of cooking from scratch: "The Mediterranean diet – lots of vegetables, olive oil, fish, nuts, and wholegrains – is one of the best things you can do for your heart. Read the labels and watch out for hidden sugars.”
"For decades, people have been told to avoid fat, but fat isn't the villain: it's the refined carbohydrates and sugar in processed foods that drive insulin resistance and weight gain. Healthy fats from sources like olive oil, nuts, oily fish and avocados are protective for your heart and don't spike insulin the way processed carbohydrates do."
“Choose real food over processed stuff. If you have diabetes, work with your diabetes team to find an eating plan that fits your life. Small changes add up. Eating well doesn't need to be complicated – and it genuinely makes a huge difference to your heart health."
Having spent his career treating heart patients, Dr Cassar has seen both ends of the spectrum. "I've cared for wonderful people born with serious heart defects who fought for every day. So, when I see preventable complications developing in others, it's hard. But here's the thing: we can all do something about this."
