Consistent evidence shows diets high in ultra-processed foods are associated with an increased risk of 32 damaging health outcomes, according to a new review of 45 meta-analyses . The research, published in The BMJ journal Wednesday, found higher exposure to these foods can be harmful to health in a variety of ways, including cancer, major heart and lung conditions, gastrointestinal issues, obesity, type 2 diabetes, sleep issues, mental health disorders and early death .