A recent study has raised alarms over a chemical commonly found in breakfast foods, linking it to a heightened risk of heart attack and stroke. Acrylamide, a compound that forms during the cooking process, may increase the likelihood of these cardiovascular events by as much as 60%, researchers have revealed.

A team of Spanish researchers analyzed data from more than 100,000 people, drawing from numerous studies conducted since 2007. Their conclusions, featured in the journal Nutrients, indicate that acrylamide consumption is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular events and fatalities caused by conditions such as heart attacks and strokes.

What Is Acrylamide?

Acrylamide is a chemical commonly found in breakfast foods that develops when starchy items like bread and potatoes are cooked using methods such as baking, frying, or roasting. Foods with burnt carbohydrates, such as overly toasted bread, tend to have particularly high concentrations of acrylamide, raising concerns for those who include toast in their daily morning routine.

The research revealed that diets with elevated acrylamide exposure were associated with a substantial rise in the risk of cardiovascular-related deaths, ranging from 33% to 66%. For high-risk groups, such as individuals predisposed to type 2 diabetes, the threat was even more pronounced, with an increase of up to 84% in the likelihood of dying from cardiovascular complications.

How Much Acrylamide Is in Your Food?

Professor Oliver Jones from RMIT University revealed that a single slice of toast typically contains around 4.8 micrograms of acrylamide. Research findings indicated that daily acrylamide consumption varies between 32.6 and 57 micrograms, with the higher intake levels being linked to adverse cardiovascular effects.

Acrylamide exposure isn’t limited to ultra-processed foods; it can also be found in home-cooked and restaurant meals, even when using advanced cooking methods like air frying. This has prompted the food industry to prioritize strategies for reducing acrylamide production.

Tips for Minimizing Acrylamide Exposure

To lower acrylamide intake, experts advise steering clear of burnt or overly browned foods. The NHS specifically recommends aiming for a “golden yellow” color when toasting bread or frying potatoes.

Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter of Cambridge University provides some reassurance, explaining that consuming acrylamide in moderation isn’t likely to pose immediate risks. He noted that it would take consuming 160 burnt slices of toast daily to experience severe effects. Even so, adhering to guidelines for limiting exposure remains a prudent choice.