**Ultra-Processed Foods Under Scrutiny as Study Links Them to 32 Health Risks**
The dangers of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are drawing heightened concern as new research connects them to a wide array of potentially severe health complications. Long seen as convenient staples in many homes, these products are now linked to 32 separate negative health outcomes in a recent study, prompting experts to recommend that consumers consider cutting back on their intake dramatically.
The comprehensive review, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), was conducted by international researchers based at Deakin University in Australia. Analysing data from nearly ten million people across several previous studies, the team discovered that those with the highest consumption of UPFs face a 21% increased chance of early death, along with a staggering 50% higher risk of dying from heart disease. Their findings paint a worrying picture of how dietary habits shaped by convenience and modern food processing may undermine public health.
UPFs are characterised by their long ingredient lists, frequent use of additives, colourings, preservatives, and artificial sweeteners. Their appeal lies largely in their convenience and longer shelf-life, making them ubiquitous in supermarket aisles and an easy choice for busy lifestyles. Yet, evidence is mounting that their consumption is not without significant cost. Amongst the 32 health outcomes noted, not only were cardiovascular diseases and various forms of cancer identified, but also conditions such as diabetes, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.
Dr Chris van Tulleken, an associate professor at University College London and author of *Ultra-Processed People*, explained to *The Times* that artificial sweeteners, once relegated to diet soft drinks and little sachets, are now present in a vast range of everyday products from bread and yoghurt to flavoured milk. According to Dr van Tulleken, any food containing these artificial additives should be considered a UPF, raising concerns about their hidden prevalence in diets across the UK.
Alarmingly, current figures indicate that adults in the UK derive 57% of their daily calorie intake from UPFs, with this figure rising to a worrying 66% among teenagers. This widespread reliance on processed foods is not simply a matter of preference but is shaped by the convenience and marketing of such products, often at the expense of more natural, less processed options.
Researchers and health experts warn that certain foods should be approached with considerable caution. Highly sweetened breakfast cereals, for example, often contain as much as eight teaspoons of sugar per 100 grams and typically rely on artificial colours and flavours. Ready meals, consumed by 90% of the UK adult population, are frequently loaded with excessive salt, sugar, fat, and a cocktail of additives. Experts suggest that preparing meals from scratch, where practical, is a far healthier alternative.
The list of UPFs causing concern does not stop at obvious candidates. Shop-bought cakes and biscuits are often packed with sugar and preservatives. A recent study from Queen Mary University of London found that nearly all supermarket cakes and three-quarters of biscuits contain more than 27g of sugar per 100g, earning them a “high” sugar warning. Pre-packed meat products, including sausage rolls, bacon, and cooked ham, are also under the microscope, with nitrites—common preservatives in these products—linked to the formation of carcinogenic substances and an increased risk of bowel cancer.
The popularity of vegan meat substitutes, while aligning with growing trends for plant-based diets, presents its own risks. Many of these alternatives are highly processed and have elevated salt content, potentially undermining the health benefits associated with eating less meat. Furthermore, ultra-processed cheese slices and spreads, often bulked out with emulsifiers, oils and sugar, are much less nutritious than their traditional counterparts.
Even foods generally considered healthy, such as flavoured yoghurts, can fall into the ultra-processed category due to high levels of sugar and added thickeners or sweeteners. Beverages such as fizzy drinks continue to contribute a quarter of dietary sugar intake, with both regular and diet versions containing chemicals that raise additional health concerns.
Overall, the growing body of research paints a clear message: the more a food is processed, the higher the potential health risks. Experts are unanimous in their advice—opting for minimally processed, natural foods such as fresh fruit, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains remains the gold standard for long-term well-being. As evidence continues to build, consumers face urgent calls to rethink their reliance on convenience foods, rediscovering the benefits of home-cooked, recognisable meals wherever possible.