Yoghurts, vegan meat alternatives and protein bars are all products on our supermarket shelves that many consider to be generally healthy.

But experts have warned that shoppers are being duped — and many of these items have been linked to serious health risks. 

Dr Naheed Ali, a Turkey-based doctor and senior contributor at the Vera Clinic, said such foods can cause chronic inflammation and gut issues, raising the risk of conditions including heart disease or some cancers. 

Research has long shown that diet is a risk factor when it comes to cancer — around four in 10 cases of the disease are thought to be caused by lifestyle factors like poor diet and lack of exercise. 

And Dr Ali advised shoppers to consider how the food they pick affects their body 'in the long term'. 

There are five specific 'healthy' products that are in fact anything but, and he opts to avoid them when doing the supermarket shop.  

First on the list are flavoured yoghurts and processed protein bars — which are often packed with added sugars and artificial additives that disrupt gut bacteria.

He said: 'An unhealthy gut microbiome has been linked to higher inflammation and bowel cancer risk, though more research is needed.'

He also told The Sun that protein bars are often full of artificial sweeteners, sugar alcohols, and processed proteins that can cause bloating and digestion issues.

Top nutritionists have previously warned of the worrying links between common additives called emulsifiers — used to improve shelf life of products — and bowel cancers. 

While some oils, meanwhile, promise the health conscious endless benefits such as boosting heart and brain health, Brits should exercise caution over trendy vegetable oils like rapeseed.

According to Dr Ali,  rapeseed or soybean contain higher levels of omega-6 fatty acids.   

Although it is essential for human health, some experts have long argued it may contribute to inflammation, which has been connected to 'cancer development'. 

'The problem isn't omega-6 fats themselves — our bodies need them — but the imbalance between omega-6 and omega-3 fats in the modern diet, Dr Ali said. 

Equally, demand for 'fake meat' has undeniably taken the world by storm.

Supermarket shelves are now littered with vegan sausages, bacon and burgers in an attempt to meet the demands of those who embark on a plant based lifestyle.

But, Dr Ali noted, meat alternatives are, by their very nature, highly processed, containing a concoction of emulsifiers, linked to cancers, as well as stabilisers, flavour enhancers and artificial colourings.

They can also be packed with higher levels of salt, sugar and fat — all substances Brits have been advised to cut down on. 

Last year, British researchers discovered plant-based meat products offer no 'clear benefit' for heart health.

Even more worryingly, people who opted for fake sausages, burgers and mince also seemingly had worse blood pressure than their meat-consuming counterparts.

In a similar vein, Dr Ali said the fifth item on his list was pre-packed smoothies and juices, given they too are packed with high levels of sugars, preservatives and artificial flavourings to enhance taste.

He added: 'Even if they say "all-natural" or "no added sugar", they're usually stripped of fibre and packed with more sugar than a soda.

'That means blood sugar spikes, crashes, and unnecessary calories.'

Excess calories are the main driver of weight gain — a common affliction that's been linked to an increase risk of some cancers. 

In Britain people being obese or overweight is estimated to cause about one in 20 cancers each year, equivalent to about 18,000 cases. 

In fact, overweight and obesity is the second biggest cause of cancer in the UK, with links to 13 different types, including pancreatic, breast, bowel and ovarian cancers.