Widely consumed food type linked to 18,000 deaths a year

• A new study links ultra-processed foods (UPFs) to thousands of premature deaths annually in the UK.
• UPFs comprise 53 per cent of the UK population's energy intake, the second highest among the eight countries studied.
• Researchers estimate that 17,781 premature deaths in the UK in 2018/19 could be attributed to UPF consumption.
• While the study highlights a correlation, some experts argue more research is needed to establish a direct causal link, suggesting the issue might be related to overall unhealthy dietary choices rather than processing itself.
• The study calls for government intervention to reduce UPF intake through dietary guidelines and public policies, but some experts caution against hasty recommendations.

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The common food type killing ‘thousands’ according to major new study