This Is The Worst Type Of Processed Meat For Your Heart Health, According To Experts

Bologna

Whether you fry it up or added to some white bread with mayonnaise for a classic, nostalgic sandwich, there's no denying that bologna can be a tasty addition to your lunch. However, experts warn that eating too much of this highly processed meat could take a serious toll on your overall health, especially when it comes to your cardiovascular health.

"Bologna is one of the least healthy processed meats when it comes to heart health," Lane tells us. This is largely due to the extremely high salt content of this lunch meat. "One serving of bologna has 35% of the daily sodium recommendation," she points out. This means you'll be getting over one third of a healthy daily intake in just one ingredient—so eating bologna regularly likely means you're consuming way too much salt on a daily basis.

How does all that salt affect your heart, though? As Lane explains, "Excess sodium, especially when potassium is decreased, has been linked to increased heart disease risk." That's partly because too much salt can cause your blood pressure to skyrocket, and high blood pressure is one major culprit of cardiovascular issues like heart disease.

Luckily, there are plenty of other tasty proteins that can help keep your sodium intake to a minimum and support a healthy heart and body. "Instead of bologna, choose a lower-sodium option like an oven roasted turkey or chicken," Lane recommends. Overall, it's important to steer clear of all processed meats—not just bologna—and choose nutritious, whole foods instead. It will be worth it in the long run!