This popular food can hurt your heart

There’s no doubt about it – fried foods are extremely popular. And while many agree they’re delicious, not everyone is aware of the potential consequences that come with eating them.

Fried food intake has been linked to an increased risk of stroke and heart disease. Research published in the journal Heart points to a 28 percent greater likelihood of cardiovascular problems among study participants who consumed the most fried foods each week compared to those who ate the least. On top of that, each additional 4-ounce serving of fried food in a week increased a person’s risk by 3 percent.

Kaitlyn Soukup, a physician assistant at Aurora BayCare Health Center in Kaukauna, WI, offers a key piece of advice when it comes to making decisions about what to put in your body.

“Everything in moderation,” the family medicine clinician advises. “It can be difficult to completely avoid certain kinds of foods, like fried foods, but it’s important to be mindful about how much you consume. Fried foods are typically very high in sodium and unhealthy fats, which can lead to heart disease.”

Soukup recommends a diet centered around fruits, vegetables, whole grains and protein. “Aim for your diet to be low in sodium, sugar, saturated and trans fats as well as cholesterol,” she adds.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s MyPlate Plan offers guidance on your optimal daily intake based on your personal traits including age, sex, height, weight and physical activity level.

Take our stroke risk assessment and heart health assessment to estimate your chance of experiencing a stroke or cardiac event and learn additional ways to minimize your risk.