Heart doctor reveals the common daily habits he avoids due to their devastating health consequences

A heart surgeon has revealed the four things he would never do because of the risks of heart disease, stroke and cancer.

Dr. Jeremy London, a cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon in Georgia, warned against alcohol-based mouthwash because there is some evidence it can raise your blood pressure.

He said these mouthwashes kill healthy bacteria in the mouth, disrupting the production of nitric oxide, a gas naturally produced by the body to relax blood vessels.

He said: ‘Our gut microbiome, or the good bacteria in our gut, starts in the mouth, so if you kill this bacteria you can actually throw it out of balance.

‘By killing this bacteria you can actually cause or worsen hypertension or high blood pressure.’

In one 2022 studyresearchers wrote that there is “unequivocal evidence” that disrupting the oral microbiome with antiseptic mouthwash suppresses nitric oxide and increases blood pressure.

Additional, scientists in Belgium found that participants who used alcohol-based mouthwash daily had increased levels of the bacteria fusobacterium nucleatum and streptococcus anginosus, which have been linked to colon cancer.

Meanwhile, Dr. London said in a recent TikTok video, which has been viewed more than 3.4 million times, that vaping or smoking is “probably the worst thing you can do for yourself.”

He warned against alcohol-based mouthwashes because they can increase blood pressure

Nicotine “directly damages the lining of blood vessels, which can disrupt blood flow and cause blood clots.”

If these clots travel to the brain or heart, they can lead to heart attacks or strokes.

The damage to blood vessels from nicotine can also harden the arteries and cause plaque to build up in them, a condition known as atherosclerosis.

While decades of research have linked smoking to heart disease and lung cancer, Dr. London also mentioned vaping, where the science is less clear.

However, emerging research shows that the habit may be just as harmful as smoking.

A 2022 study For example, experts at the American Heart Association found that people who vaped or smoked saw immediate increases in blood pressure and heart rate, both of which put strain on the heart and cause it to gradually weaken.

Dr. London is also avoiding restrictions on his consumption of ultra-processed foods, which have long been linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, diabetes and cancer.

This is due to the high amounts of saturated fats, sugars and refined carbohydrates, all of which raise cholesterol and cause blood vessels to narrow.

A 2021 study from the American College of Cardiology found that each daily serving of ultra-processed food was associated with a seven percent increased risk of heart disease.

He said, ‘You are what you eat, literally. The proteins, fats and carbohydrates you ingest provide energy and building blocks to every cell in your body.

‘Think carefully about your nutrition plan.’

Dr. London said smoking is “probably the worst thing you can do for yourself” when it comes to cardiovascular disease risk. Meanwhile, even harmless products like mouthwash can increase blood pressure

Dr. London also avoids alcohol.

He said, “I hate to break it to you, but even moderate alcohol consumption is compromised.”

He explained that alcohol breaks down into acetaldehyde, a chemical compound “that is toxic to every cell in your body.”

According to the CDC, this compound has been shown to damage DNA and prevent the body from repairing that damage.

Once the DNA is damaged, cells can grow uncontrollably and create cancerous tumors.

Acetaldehyde is considered a Group 2B carcinogen, meaning there is ample evidence that it causes cancer in animals and limited evidence that it causes cancer in humans.

In another videonoticed Dr. London notes that avoiding alcohol has given him “greater mental clarity, better sleep and high levels of productivity.”

He said, ‘That’s the secret sauce.’