Generally low in essential nutrients, high in sugar, oil and salt, ultra-processed foods have taken over aisles in supermarkets.
A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition finds that a high intake of such foods can increase mortality risk from any cause by 26 per cent, and 58 per cent specifically from cardiovascular diseases.
Excess sugar does play a role, but only accounts for 40 per cent of the increased death risk, the study said.