Ultraprocessed foods are everywhere. How bad are they?

AP Health Writer

Ultraprocessed foods make up the bulk of the U.S. food supply and most Americans don’t go a day without eating some. The foods include sugary cereals, frozen dinners, soda, potato chips and ice cream. They’ve been linked to a host of negative health effects from obesity and diabetes to heart disease, depression, dementia and early death. But most research has found links, not proof, for those health consequences, making it difficult to target specific foods for reform or regulation. Food manufacturers argue that processing boosts food safety and supplies and offers a cheap, convenient way to provide a diverse and nutritious diet.