The consumption of “ultraprocessed” foods, described as pre-prepared dishes found in grocery store freezers, packaged baked goods, dehydrated soups, ice cream, sugary cereals and fizzy beverages, may cause a higher risk of obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and even some cancers, according to two separate studies posted by medical journal The BMJ and reported by CNN.

Researchers found that a higher consumption of heavily processed foods — more than four servings each day — was associated with a 62% increased risk for early death compared to those who ate such foods less frequently. And each additional serving of the factory-made fare increased that relative risk by 18%, the research indicated.

According to CNN, researchers gathered data from close to 20,000 participants in the Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (SUN) project, which monitors university graduate volunteers, ages 20 to 91 years old, every two years through questionnaires.

To read the CNN article, click here.