Saira Peesker, CBC News »

The researchers found that consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) was linked with correlating levels of high blood pressure and cholesterol, and was not affected by an individual’s age, size and level of activity.

Higher consumption of these processed foods is also linked to higher levels of triglycerides, “a type of fat found in the blood which, in high amounts, contributes to risk of heart disease, stroke and other diseases,” study co-author and PhD student Angelina Baric.

“The associations persisted even after adjusting for physical activity, smoking, the total amount of food consumed and socioeconomic factors including income and education,” said the release.