Donna K. Arnett, Ph.D., M.S.P.H., B.S.N., past president of the American Heart Association, Dean and Professor, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky copyright American Heart Association "Zane and colleagues found that those are at the highest levels of the ultra-processed foods, more than 70% of their diet, had a steep reduction in their overall ideal cardiovascular health. So that's their blood pressure, cholesterol, body weight, smoking, exercise, and obesity. And so, what that means is that we need to start thinking through how to build a healthier diet, and that doesn't rely on these ultra-processed foods. So eliminating things like sugar-sweetened beverages, cookies, cakes, and other processed foods, including soups, were one of the ones in their equation, could help us build a healthier diet."