Reducing ultra-processed foods could prevent thousands of heart disease deaths, study suggests
A new study suggests that ultra-processed foods (UPFs) may be responsible for up to 38% of heart disease deaths. Researchers argue that reducing consumption of these foods could significantly lower the incidence of heart-related illnesses in high-income countries.
Why it matters
As UPFs make up over half of the average diet in the US and UK, these findings highlight a major public health opportunity to prevent chronic disease through dietary changes.
In the UK and US, more than half the average diet now consists of UPFs such as breakfast cereals, ready meals, protein bars, fizzy drinks and fast food. In the UK and US, more than half the average diet now consists of UPFs such as breakfast cereals, ready meals, protein bars, fizzy drinks and fast food. Ultra-processed foods Reducing ultra-processed foods could prevent thousands of heart disease deaths, study suggests Researchers in Canada say that UFPs could be ‘substantial and potentially preventable’ contributor to the disease
Prefer the Guardian on Google Thousands of people could avoid dying of heart disease by reducing ultra-processed foods (UPFs), experts have said, as a modelling study suggests junk food may be driving up to a third of cases.
Millions of people increasingly consume UPFs such as ready meals, breakfast cereals, protein bars, fizzy drinks and fast food.
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