Many readers and acquaintances often ask me similar questions about what superfoods, vitamins or supplements will miraculously improve the quality of the skin, make the hair shiny and thick, the figure slim and generally improve health.
Unfortunately, all of these remedies are just an addition to a healthy diet based on WHOLE, UNPROCESSED FOODS. And I’m not even talking, only plants, if you eat meat, then “wholeness” and “unprocessed” applies to it.
Start by stopping food from jars, boxes, convenience foods, refined foods, and anything that contains ingredients that will extend their shelf life, improve texture, enhance flavor, and make them visually appealing. These additives do not benefit the consumer, but the manufacturer. Scientists associate many of them with poor health, risks of developing cancer and other diseases, and, as a consequence, with a deterioration in appearance.
After you say goodbye to such “food” it makes sense to talk about goji berries and similar miraculous superfoods ?
Here’s an example of the 5 most harmful additives that lie in wait for us in industrially processed foods.
- Sodium nitrate
Where is contained
This additive is most commonly found in processed meats. It is added to bacon, sausages, hot dogs, sausages, fat-free turkey, processed chicken breast, ham, boiled pork, pepperoni, salami, and almost all the meats found in cooked meals.
Why is it used
Sodium nitrate gives food a reddish meaty color and flavor, extends shelf life and inhibits bacterial growth.
What is dangerous to health
The World Cancer Research Foundation recently compiled a detailed review of 7000 clinical studies looking at the relationship between diet and cancer development. The review provides strong evidence that eating processed meat is associated with an increased risk of bowel cancer. It also provides arguments about the impact on the development of cancer of the lungs, stomach, prostate and esophagus.
Regular consumption of even small amounts of processed meat significantly increases the risk of bowel cancer, the review authors argue. If you have such meat in your diet more than 1-2 times a week, it already significantly increases the risk of developing cancer, and after all, many people eat processed meat products every day.
A study of 448 people found evidence that processed meat increased deaths from heart disease and cancer by 568%.
Scientists recommend completely avoiding processed meat, since there is no official data on the acceptable level of consumption, at which it can be said with confidence that there is no threat of cancer.
- Flavor enhancer gsodium lutamate
Where is contained
Monosodium glutamate is commonly found in processed and prepackaged meals, buns, crackers, chips, snacks from vending machines, ready-made sauces, soy sauce, canned soups, and many other packaged foods.
Why is it used
Monosodium glutamate is an exotoxin that makes your tongue and brain think you are eating something incredibly tasty and nutritious. Manufacturers use monosodium glutamate to add to the savory taste of processed foods that are otherwise not overly appetizing.
What is dangerous to health
By consuming large amounts of monosodium glutamate, you run the risk of provoking many health problems. The most common problems include migraines, headaches, heart palpitations, sweating, numbness, tingling, nausea, chest pain, also called Chinese restaurant syndrome. In the longer term, it is liver inflammation, decreased fertility, memory impairment, loss of appetite, metabolic syndrome, obesity, etc. For sensitive people, monosodium glutamate is dangerous even in small doses.
As indicated on the labels
The following designations should be avoided: EE 620-625, E ‑ 627, E ‑ 631, E ‑ 635, autolyzed yeast, calcium caseinate, glutamate, glutamic acid, hydrolyzed protein, potassium glutamate, monosodium glutamate, sodium caseinate, textured protein, yeast extract …
- Trans fats and hydrogenated vegetable oils
Where are contained
Trans fats are found mainly in deep fried foods, cookies, muesli, chips, popcorn, cakes, pastries, fast food, baked goods, waffles, pizza, frozen ready meals, breaded foods, processed packaged soups, hard margarine.
Why are they used
Trans fats are mainly obtained when polyunsaturated oils are chemically hydrogenated to achieve a firmer consistency. This increases the shelf life of the product and maintains its shape and structure.
What are dangerous to health
Major health problems associated with trans fat intake include an increased risk of coronary heart disease, type II diabetes, high LDL cholesterol and low HDL cholesterol, obesity, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, liver dysfunction, infertility, behavioral problems, and mood swings …
As indicated on the labels
Avoid all foods that contain ingredients labeled “hydrogenated” and “hydrogenated”.
- Artificial sweeteners
Where are contained
Artificial sweeteners are found in diet sodas, dietetic foods, chewing gum, mouth fresheners, most store-bought juices, shakes, cereals, confectionery, yogurt, gummy vitamins, and cough syrups.
Why are they used
They are added to foods to reduce sugar and calories while maintaining a sweet taste. They are cheaper than sugar and other natural sweeteners.
What are dangerous to health
Animal studies have shown that a sweet taste induces an insulin response and can lead to hyperinsulinemia and hypoglycemia, which in turn cause the need to increase calories with the next meal and can contribute to further problems with excess weight and overall health.
There are a number of independent studies that have demonstrated that artificial sweeteners such as aspartame can have side effects such as migraines, insomnia, neurological disorders, changes in behavior and mood, and even increase the risk of cancer, especially brain tumors. Aspartame has not received FDA approval for human consumption for many years. This is a highly controversial topic with many controversies regarding possible health problems.
As indicated on the labels
Artificial sweeteners include aspartame, sucralose, neotame, acesulfame potassium, and saccharin. The names Nutrasweet, Splenda should also be avoided.
- Artificial dyes
Where are contained
Artificial colors are found in hard candy, candy, jellies, desserts, popsicles (frozen juice), soft drinks, baked goods, pickles, sauces, canned fruits, instant drinks, cold meats, cough syrups, medications, and some dietary supplements.
Why are they used
Synthetic food colors are used to enhance the appearance of a product.
What are dangerous to health
Synthetic dyes, especially those that give foods very intense colors (bright yellow, bright scarlet, bright blue, deep red, indigo and brilliant green), cause numerous health problems, primarily in children. Cancer, hyperactivity and allergic reactions are just a few of them.
The potential dangers of artificial and synthetic colors remain the subject of much debate. Modern research methods have demonstrated the toxic effects of various ingredients that were previously considered harmless.
Natural food colors such as paprika, turmeric, saffron, betanin (beetroot), elderberry and others can easily replace artificial ones.
As indicated on the label
Artificial dyes that should be feared are EE 102, 104, 110, 122-124, 127, 129, 132, 133, 142, 143, 151, 155, 160b, 162, 164. In addition, there may be such designations as tartrazine and others.
Hazardous ingredients are often found in food not alone, but in combination with each other, and until now scientists have not studied the cumulative effect of regularly consuming all of these ingredients together.
To protect yourself from their harmful effects, read the contents of any product you are about to buy on the packaging. Better yet, don’t buy such products at all.
Eating a diet based on fresh, whole foods gives me the added bonus of not having to read labels and check for all of these harmful additives..
Prepare simple, tasty and healthy meals at home, for example, according to my recipes.