9. Baked Goods: Sweet Treats with a Health Twist
Baked goods such as cookies, pastries, and cakes often come loaded with unhealthy fats, sugar, and sodium. While they’re delightful to the taste buds, their impact on heart health isn’t as pleasant. These factors can contribute to conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure, which are significant risk factors for AFib.
Excessive intake of unhealthy fats from baked goods can contribute to high cholesterol levels. High cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries, potentially causing atherosclerosis and increasing the risk of AFib.
The high sugar content in many baked goods can contribute to weight gain and the development of type 2 diabetes. Both obesity and diabetes can alter the heart’s structure and function, making it more susceptible to rhythm disorders like AFib.
Additionally, many baked goods contain considerable amounts of sodium, which can contribute to high blood pressure, another known risk factor for AFib.(9)
