Reducing ultra-processed foods could prevent thousands of heart disease deaths, study suggests

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. Photograph: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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.