[fwdude]

I wish they'd define "highly processed." Some foods that are routinely considered "junk" are not highly processed.

Perhaps the oils used in a lot of these foods is the culprit.

[Red Badger]

https://www.princeton.edu/news/2010/03/22/sweet-problem-princeton-researchers-find-high-fructose-corn-syrup-prompts

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

fwdude :" I wish they'd define "highly processed."

" " I wish they'd define "highly processed."
Me too !
And I believe you may be correct that the culprit will be found in the selection of cooking "oils",
and oils temperature during processing.

[Manuel OKelley]

seed oils are poison.