The number of servings of ultra-processed food you eat directly affects your risk of cardiovascular disease, a recent study found. People who ate more than nine servings of these foods daily were 67 percent more likely to experience a major heart event, such as a heart attack, stroke, or death related to heart disease, compared to those who ate about one serving per day.
Food packages list the number of servings they contain. The size of each serving is decided by manufacturers and is not based on calories. One serving of ultra-processed food can mean two cookies, one can of soft drink, or half a microwave meal. A person can eat nine servings of ultra-processed foods either by having them as the meal of the day or by snacking, drinking soft drinks, and eating desserts.
