The consumption of junk food can harden children's arteries, according to a study in Bristol. A study has warned that the arteries of children who frequently consume junk food can become hardened by the age of 17. Arterial hardening can increase the risk of stroke and heart disease.
A study of almost 5,000 babies born in Bristol in the 1990s found that babies whose diets were rich in vegetables, fruit, beans, and pulses had fewer stiff arteries.
According to experts, the results of the study emphasize the importance of balanced dietary habits and suggest that early interventions in children's diets can prevent future heart issues.
Arteries are crucial blood vessels that transport oxygen-rich blood from the heart to other parts of the body.
The early sign of artery hardening, a major issue, occurs due to the depletion of elastin fibers and thick collagen fibers in the arteries. This condition contributes to high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease risks.
Researchers from the University of Exeter, the University of Bristol, and the University of Eastern Finland started examining the diets of 4700 children at the age of seven in a seven-year study.
Later, they measured the pulse rate and thickness of the arteries leading to the head through the chest at the age of 17.
The results of the study revealed that children whose diets were high in calories, saturated fat, and sugar and low in fiber at seven and ten years of age had harder arteries by the age of 17 compared to those who consumed more balanced, less fatty, and less sweet diets during childhood.