Chemical in Popular Breakfast Food May Increase Heart Attack and Stroke Risk

A chemical in breakfast food has raised concerns after researchers linked it to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Acrylamide, a chemical formed during cooking, could raise the chances of these cardiovascular emergencies by up to 60%, according to a recent study.

Source: Freepik

Spanish researchers reviewed data from over 100,000 individuals across dozens of studies since 2007. Their findings, published in the Nutrients journal, revealed that acrylamide intake is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events and deaths from conditions like heart attacks and strokes.

What Is Acrylamide?

Acrylamide is a chemical in breakfast food that forms when starch-heavy foods, such as bread and potatoes, are heated through processes like baking, frying, or roasting. Burnt carbohydrates, such as overly toasted bread, contain especially high levels of acrylamide—a concern for many who consume toast as part of their daily breakfast.

Source: Freepik

The study found that diets with higher levels of acrylamide exposure significantly increased the risk of cardiovascular death by 33% to 66%. For vulnerable populations, like those at risk for type 2 diabetes, the danger was even greater—showing up to an 84% increased risk of death from cardiovascular issues.

How Much Acrylamide Is in Your Food?

Professor Oliver Jones of RMIT University explained that an average slice of toast contains approximately 4.8 micrograms of acrylamide. Across the studies analyzed, daily acrylamide intake ranged from 32.6 to 57 micrograms, with negative cardiovascular outcomes observed at the higher end of the spectrum.

Source: Freepik

Acrylamide exposure doesn’t just come from ultra-processed foods; it’s also present in home-cooked and restaurant meals, even when using modern methods like air frying. This has made reducing acrylamide production a top priority for the food industry.

Minimizing Acrylamide Exposure

To reduce acrylamide intake, experts recommend avoiding burnt or overly browned foods. The NHS suggests aiming for a “golden yellow” color when toasting bread or frying potatoes.

Sir David Spiegelhalter of Cambridge University reassures that consuming acrylamide in moderation is not likely to cause immediate harm. He stated that one would need to eat 160 burnt slices of toast daily for a severe impact. However, following guidelines to limit exposure is still a sound approach.

Please SHARE this article with your friends and family on Facebook.

Bored Daddy

Love and Peace

Bryan Seal
Bryan Seal
Bryan is an American novelist and Veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Between those careers, he’s worked as a deckhand, commercial fisherman, divemaster, taxi driver, construction manager, and over the road truck driver, among many other things.

More from author

Related posts

Latest posts

Over 60 killed after fire rips through newly opened mall in Iraq following AC explosion

A devastating fire tore through a newly opened mall, the Corniche Hypermarket Mall, in Kut, eastern Iraq, claiming the lives of at least 61...

Entitled passenger snatched my in-flight meal — but karma served the real dish

What started as a routine cross-country flight quickly turned frustrating for a woman who happened to be seated next to an entitled passenger. The man...

Kate Middleton makes rare comment about Prince Louis

Kate Middleton received a standing ovation when she appeared at the Wimbledon tennis finals last weekend. Her presence at this event has always been embraced...

Our gender reveal cake was gray — then our daughter shared a surprising truth

When my husband and I married, we knew we wanted children. We already had a girl, Maddison, from his first marriage that I got...

Truth behind viral statement after married CEO caught with employee on Coldplay kiss cam

During Coldplay's recent Boston concert, frontman Chris Martin sparkled a viral moment when the 'kiss cam' revealed what many believe is an ongoing affair....

The dog that woke his master

The prognosis for Officer Rami, who was severely injured during a mission, was bleak. After weeks in the hospital, doctors decided to take him...