“The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison.”Ann Wigmore
The world is a dangerous place. What you don’t see can kill you. We think we are safe, living in the comfort and convenience of the 21st century. We are not. Gone may be the days of fighting man and beast for survival on the frontier, but today some of our greatest dangers are lurking for us on quiet grocery store shelves. Poison in our food is a real thing. To stay alive in this modern world, it pays to think - and read. For your consideration, I submit the following.
Among all humans on planet Earth, Americans have the highest ultra-processed food consumption rate. Among all developed countries, we also have the shortest lifespan. Perhaps there is a connection. 50-70 percent of our diet in the States is made up of ultra-processed foods. This is the highest consumption rate in the developed world. Many of the ingredients and additives used in the U.S. are restricted or banned in Europe and Canada. Here are a few examples (note - I have written about some of these additives before in a previous column – Danger Food- Poison in the Kitchen).
First on the list is the dreaded High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS), the most commonly used sweetener in American processed foods. It is used in almost everything we eat.
HFCS is approved for use in Europe, but they use a modified form called isoglucose. This contains up to 30 percent fructose, compared to the American version of HFCS which contains 42-55 percent fructose. HFCS 55, the 55 percent option, is most commonly used in the U.S. It is more concentrated and therefore sweeter.
Food companies adopted HFCS in the late 20th century, and its use in food products increased 1000 percent during this time. This signaled the greatest change in the American diet in our history. The rise in obesity in the last 40 years seems to coincide with this change.
HFCS is cheaper than sugar, hence it’s increased use. HFCS 55 has a higher fructose content than sugar, which when consumed in excess can strain the liver and contribute to fatty liver disease. Fructose also doesn’t prompt the body to release insulin or the hormones that signal your brain to stop eating. This, of course, can lead to excessive eating and weight gain.
The most common ingredient in American processed foods are SEED OILS – soybean, corn, canola, and sunflower oils. These oils are often extracted using toxic compounds like hexane. They are degummed with acids and water, neutralized to prevent them from turning rancid, deodorized and bleached to remove smell and color, and often hydrogenated to maintain a stable shelf life. Most processed vegetable oils are high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, making them prone to oxidation when heated. When eaten, these oxidized fats can damage cells and genes in our bodies. Seed oil consumption has been linked to a number of diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
Synthetic FOOD DYES are also common in our processed foods. These include red 40, red 2, green 3, blue 1 and 2, yellow 6, and yellow 5 (tartrazine). These dyes are often made from petroleum, making them more durable and cheaper. These food dyes have been linked to cancer and behavioral problems.
BHA and BHT (Butylated Hydroxyanisole and Butylated Hydroxytoluene) are used in chips, cereals, granola bars, crackers and more. Both are considered likely carcinogenic.
BVO (Bromated Vegetable Oil), linked to neurological disease is used as an emulsifier in soda and sports drinks.
Potassium Bromate and Azodiacarbonamide (ADA) can be found in flour, bread, and other baked goods. They are considered cellular toxins and linked to cancer and behavioral problems.
Titanium Dioxide, shown to cause fibrosis, pulmonary damage and lung tumors in rodents, is found in salad dressing, canned soup, candy, and boxed macaroni and cheese.
These are only some of the potentially dangerous substances lurking in our food supply.
So, is it possible to eat and remain healthy in our modern pre-packaged ultra-processed world? Yes, I think it is. Read labels. Then read them again. Minimize or avoid consumption of processed foods. Stop eating the poison. And eat fresh food when you can. Plant a garden. Visit a farmer’s market. Seek out healthy food. Take care of your body and eat to live.© 2024 Jody Dyer
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