Researchers studied nearly 100,000 French adults to understand how different eating patterns affect heart health. Using advanced computer analysis, they identified five distinct food-eating patterns people follow. The key finding: people who regularly eat ultra-processed sweets and snacks together had a 32% higher risk of heart disease compared to those who rarely eat these foods. Interestingly, this increased risk remained even after accounting for overall diet quality, suggesting that certain food combinations matter more than we previously thought for protecting our hearts.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether specific combinations of foods people eat together are linked to developing heart disease
  • Who participated: 99,362 French adults aged 15 and older who tracked their food intake for at least two separate 24-hour periods
  • Key finding: People who frequently ate ultra-processed sweets and snacks together had about 32% higher heart disease risk than those who rarely ate these combinations, even after adjusting for overall diet quality
  • What it means for you: It’s not just about eating healthy overall—the specific combinations of foods you regularly eat together matter for heart health. Reducing ultra-processed sweets and snacks as a habit may be particularly important for heart disease prevention, though this study shows association, not definitive cause-and-effect

The Research Details

This was a long-term observational study (called a cohort study) where researchers followed nearly 100,000 French adults over time. Participants recorded what they ate using detailed 24-hour food diaries at least twice. Researchers then used advanced computer algorithms—specifically something called Gaussian Graphical Models combined with the Louvain algorithm—to identify which foods people tend to eat together as patterns or habits.

The computer analysis found five distinct eating pattern networks: appetizer foods, breakfast foods, plant-based foods, ultra-processed sweets and snacks, and healthy foods. Researchers then tracked which participants developed heart disease over the study period and compared this to their eating patterns. They used statistical methods to account for other factors that might affect heart disease risk, like age, exercise, smoking, and overall diet quality.

Traditional nutrition research often looks at individual foods or nutrients in isolation. This study uses newer computer science methods to understand how foods are actually eaten together in real life. This approach is important because people don’t eat foods one at a time—they eat them as combinations and habits. By identifying these natural food groupings, researchers can better understand which eating habits are most harmful or protective for heart health.

This study has several strengths: it’s large (nearly 100,000 people), used detailed dietary records rather than memory-based surveys, validated heart disease cases through medical records, and adjusted for many confounding factors. However, it’s observational, meaning we can’t prove that junk food combinations directly cause heart disease—only that they’re associated. The study was conducted in France, so results may not apply equally to all populations. Additionally, people who track their food intake may be more health-conscious than the general population.

What the Results Show

The computer analysis identified five distinct eating pattern networks among the study participants. Four of these patterns showed no significant association with heart disease risk: appetizer foods, breakfast foods, plant-based foods, and healthy foods. However, the pattern characterized by frequent consumption of ultra-processed sweets and snacks showed a clear link to increased heart disease risk.

Specifically, people in the highest consumption group for ultra-processed sweets and snacks had a 32% greater risk of developing heart disease compared to those in the lowest consumption group (the researchers call this a hazard ratio of 1.32). This increased risk remained statistically significant even after researchers adjusted their analysis for overall diet quality scores, suggesting that the specific combination of these foods matters beyond just having a generally poor diet.

The trend was dose-dependent, meaning that as consumption of ultra-processed sweets and snacks increased, so did the heart disease risk. This strengthens the evidence that this particular eating pattern is genuinely associated with heart health outcomes rather than being a random finding.

Interestingly, the plant-based food pattern and healthy food pattern showed no protective effect against heart disease in this analysis, though this doesn’t mean they’re harmful—it may reflect that other factors beyond these patterns influence heart disease risk. The breakfast foods and appetizer foods patterns also showed no significant association with heart disease, suggesting that when and how often you eat may matter less than what you eat.

Previous research has consistently shown that ultra-processed foods are linked to poor health outcomes. This study adds to that evidence by showing that it’s not just individual ultra-processed foods that matter, but the combination and pattern of eating them together. The 32% increased risk is consistent with other large studies examining ultra-processed food consumption and cardiovascular disease. This research validates concerns about ultra-processed foods while introducing a new way to identify problematic eating patterns using computer analysis.

The study is observational, so we cannot definitively say that eating ultra-processed sweets and snacks causes heart disease—only that they’re associated. People who participate in nutrition studies may be more health-conscious than the general population, which could affect results. The study was conducted in France, so the findings may not apply equally to other countries with different food systems and eating cultures. Additionally, dietary intake was self-reported, which can introduce errors, though the use of multiple 24-hour records improves accuracy. Finally, while researchers adjusted for many factors, unmeasured variables could still influence the results.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research (moderate confidence level): Reduce your regular consumption of ultra-processed sweets and snacks, particularly as a combined eating pattern. Instead of viewing these foods as occasional treats, be mindful of how often they appear in your diet. Focus on whole foods, particularly plant-based options, for the majority of your meals. If you currently eat ultra-processed sweets and snacks frequently, gradually reducing them may help lower your heart disease risk.

This research is most relevant for adults concerned about heart disease prevention, people with family histories of heart disease, and anyone looking to improve their cardiovascular health. It’s particularly important for those who regularly consume ultra-processed sweets and snacks as part of their daily eating pattern. People with existing heart disease should discuss dietary changes with their healthcare provider. The findings are less directly applicable to children, though establishing healthy eating patterns early is beneficial.

Changes in heart disease risk from dietary improvements typically take months to years to become apparent. You might notice improvements in energy, weight, and blood pressure within weeks to months of reducing ultra-processed foods. However, significant reductions in cardiovascular disease risk usually require sustained dietary changes over 6-12 months or longer. This is a long-term investment in health rather than a quick fix.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track ultra-processed sweets and snacks consumption separately from other foods. Log instances when you eat these foods together as a ‘combination event’ rather than individual items. Measure success by reducing the frequency of these combination events per week (goal: decrease from current baseline by 25-50% over 3 months).
  • Use the app to set a specific, measurable goal like ‘reduce ultra-processed snack combinations from 5 times per week to 2 times per week.’ Create reminders for healthier snack alternatives when you typically reach for these foods. Track mood and energy levels alongside snacking patterns to identify emotional eating triggers.
  • Weekly review of ultra-processed snack patterns to identify triggers and times of day when consumption is highest. Monthly assessment of overall progress toward reduction goals. Quarterly check-ins to adjust targets and celebrate improvements. Consider pairing this tracking with other cardiovascular health metrics like blood pressure or weight if available through the app.

This research shows an association between ultra-processed sweets and snacks and increased heart disease risk, but does not prove direct causation. Individual results vary based on genetics, overall lifestyle, and other health factors. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. If you have concerns about your heart health or are considering significant dietary changes, especially if you have existing health conditions or take medications, consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian before making major changes to your diet. This study was conducted in a French population and may not apply equally to all demographic groups.