In a recent study, scientists observed the dietary habits of about 1,300 women to see if there was a link between a person's eating habits and the risk of preclinical cardiovascular disease (PCD).

The maximum carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) was the measurement taken from these women as an indicator for heart disease. The higher the cIMT, the higher the risk for heart disease.

The conclusion showed that those women consuming "empty-calories" such as high total and saturated fat products and those products that contained high amounts of sugars did in fact have a significantly higher level of cIMT in their bodies. Fat and sugar overconsumption causes heart problems -- who knew?