Cook more at home to reduce ultra-processed food intake, say cardiologist groups

European cardiology groups are urging people at risk of heart disease to cook more meals at home and cut back on ultra-processed foods.

The European Society of Cardiology and the European Association of Preventive Cardiology published a clinical consensus statement this week saying higher ultra-processed food intake is linked to higher cardiovascular disease and death risk.

The guidance, published in the European Heart Journal, also says doctors should talk to patients about how much ultra-processed food they eat and give practical advice on reducing it.

Among the recommendations: cook more at home, eat more slowly and mindfully, avoid late meals, and limit sugary drinks, processed snacks and ready meals.

The statement is aimed at translating a growing body of evidence into everyday advice for clinicians and patients. It is an open-access consensus statement rather than a formal treatment guideline.

The publication comes as public-health experts continue to debate how best to define and reduce ultra-processed food consumption, which has become a major concern in discussions about obesity, diabetes and heart disease.