Eating a lot of ultra-processed foods, like packaged snacks and sugary drinks, might increase your chances of having unhealthy blood fats — specifically high triglycerides and low 'good' cholesterol — according to several long-term studies in adults.

Eating lots of highly processed foods like chips, sodas, and frozen meals can make you gain weight and worsen your 'bad' cholesterol compared to 'good' cholesterol—even if you eat the same number of calories as someone eating whole foods.

Eating a lot of ultra-processed foods, like packaged snacks and sugary drinks, is linked to a higher chance of becoming obese — about one-third more likely — based on data from hundreds of thousands of adults followed over time.

Eating a lot of ultra-processed foods, like packaged snacks and sugary drinks, might increase your chances of getting high blood pressure by about a third, according to several long-term studies in adults.

Eating more fish and nuts lowers bad cholesterol, while eating more bacon and sausages raises it.

Eating a lot of ultra-processed foods, like packaged snacks and sugary drinks, might increase your chances of getting type 2 diabetes by about 37% over time.