ULTRA-PROCESSED FOOD LINK TO DISEASES

SOME ultra-processed foods (UPFS) - not including shop-bought bread and cereal - increase the risk of people suffering a combination of diseases such as cancer and diabetes, research suggests.

- JANE KIRBY

A new study found no link between ultra-processed breads and cereals, ready meals, plant-based substitutes, sweets, desserts and savoury snacks and an increased risk of suffering a combination of diseases.

But experts did find an increased risk of poorer health if people consumed lots of artificially sweetened or sugary drinks, or animal-based UPFs such as processed meat. Researchers involved in the study included several from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the specialised cancer agency of the World Health Organisation.