Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the US, and while red meat, salt, and saturated fat are often blamed, heart surgeon Philip Ovadia says refined carbohydrates may be one of the biggest hidden dangers.
According to Dr. Ovadia, refined carbs can cause insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, and plaque buildup in arteries, increasing the risk of heart attacks. He warned that many foods marketed as healthy — including low-fat granola, whole wheat bread, rice cakes, flavored yogurt, fruit juice, instant oatmeal, and breakfast cereals — may still contain harmful refined carbohydrates.
Instead, he recommends focusing on vegetables, healthy fats, and protein. Diets like the Mediterranean diet, which emphasize fish, olive oil, nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole foods while limiting ultra-processed foods, are widely considered better for heart health.