Not all ultra-processed foods have been linked to increased mortality, as some healthy options, such as multigrain bread, also fall under that umbrella. The hype around ultra-processed foods is really about the broader issue of people eating poor, unbalanced diets with low nutritional content, which some ultra-processed foods can actually help alleviate.
The science surrounding ultra-processed foods is still fraught and murky, but the existing evidence strongly suggests that avoiding them altogether is best for individual health. In addition to the additives and unhealthy ingredients used in them, ultra-processed food undergoes chemical changes that can have additional health consequences. From obesity to diabetes and cancer, the body of evidence against ultra-processed foods is continuing to grow.