The Sweets, The Fats, and the Ugly

You may have heard from the news, a relative, or the internet that consuming lots of processed foods isn't a great way to live a healthy lifestyle. Today we will examine the truth behind these claims, and what part processed foods themselves contribute to the harmful "Processed Paradise" found in modern American society.

(Image courtesy of Shiva Best from AVATAR)

Processed foods are generally regarded by people as black and white subject. That is, that they are all bad for your health and that is the end of the story. While many processed foods do find themselves containing high levels of unhealthy fats, sodium, carbohydrates, preservatives, etc. that are harmful to human health, they are not entirely unhealthy. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the deeper nature of processed food products in America, it is important to first single out those which inflict the most damage on the lives of consumers, but not neglect to mention the benefits as well.

However, before I get too far ahead of myself, I think it is important to define exactly what constitutes a processed food. The United States Department of Agriculture defines processed foods as any raw agricultural commodity that has been subject to washing, cleaning, cutting, pasteurizing, canning, freezing, drying, packaging or other procedures that alter the food from its natural state. This especially includes the addition of other ingredients to the food, like preservatives, flavors (artificial or natural), nutrients and other food additives or substances approved for use in food products, such as salt, sugars and fats. This covers the vast majority of foods found in supermarkets worldwide, so processed foods are certainly difficult to get away from, but there is good reason for this.

Surprisingly enough, there are many processed foods that contain enough positives to outweigh the negatives. In fact, processed foods rose out of a necessity in society on the global scale. They have the capability to better people's lives by allowing more free time by reducing the time spent needing to cook one's own food, and are also more capable of feeding developing nations that have higher poverty levels due to a cheaper production cost, therefore being instrumental in reducing worldwide starvation rates. This is in part and in addition to the unexpectedly high nutritional value found in many processed foods. One study found that processed foods provide 55% of all dietary fiber, 48% of calcium, 43% of potassium 34% of Vitamin D 64% of iron, 65% of folate (a B-Vitamin), and 46% of vitamin B-12. Processed foods also contain a greater amount of calories on average, which, of course, ends up being a double-edged sword.

(Graph courtesy of American Institute for Cancer Research)

The graph above shows that Americans consume the majority of their calories from processed foods. This is of course in part due to the fact that these processed foods are calorie dense and more readily available and easier to consume than unprocessed foods, but can come at the cost of health. Ultra-processed foods (chemically processed foods containing refined ingredients, artificial substances, and little nutritional value) like frozen meals are particularly harmful when consumed in excess. For example, in one study, it was discovered that eating 10% more ultra-processed foods resulted in a direct 10% increase of risk of increase in the risks of cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, and cerebrovascular disorders. Another study proved that eating over four servings of regular processed food daily was directly linked to an 18% increase of mortality from all causes per extra serving.

This information is worrisome, and proves that processed foods certainly play a large part in contributing to the many health crises here in America. However, it is important to remember that the food itself plays but a one role (albeit the most direct) in the health of consumers. It is important that we next examine the reason for such a high consumption of processed foods, who is more affected, and the information surrounding the purchase of processed foods. Until then, it doesn't hurt to take a greater interest in the food you are putting in your body, and take steps to create a healthier diet.