CANCER alert: New research puts spotlight on dangers of industrial food processing
(NaturalHealth365) The ability to process food is something that separated us from our more primitive ancestors millions of years ago. Some people would argue that breaking food down, cooking it, and eventually, more complex techniques such as pickling and curing have allowed a much better return on energy investment for our foods.
However, since the 1970s, a new form of ultra-processing has taken over the food market, and with it comes a host of seriously adverse health effects. In addition to an increased risk of a variety of cancers, the associated negatives with ultra-processed foods include neurological defects, diabetes, heart disease, tooth decay, and many others. A massive cohort study done in Europe provides a basis to examine the link between ultra-processed food and an increase in childhood cancer rates.
How Big Food strips nutrients from our food supply
Large food corporations, often dubbed “Big Food,” employ various methods to process and manipulate foods, which can result in the depletion of essential nutrients. These corporations typically prioritize profit and shelf stability over nutritional value, leading to the production of highly processed, nutrient-depleted foods.
One common practice is the removal of nutrients during food processing. For example, refining grains involves stripping away the nutrient-rich bran and germ, leaving behind a product that is predominantly starch with far fewer vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Additionally, industrial food processing often involves the addition of artificial ingredients such as preservatives, flavorings, and colorings. These additives may further degrade the nutritional quality of the food while enhancing its appeal and shelf life.
Furthermore, the extensive processing of foods can destroy or denature sensitive nutrients like vitamins and enzymes. For example, high-temperature processing methods, such as pasteurization and sterilization, can diminish the nutritional content of foods, rendering them less beneficial to consumers.
Overall, the practices employed by Big Food in food processing can lead to the stripping of nutrients from our food supply, contributing to the prevalence of nutrient-poor diets and associated health issues.
Groundbreaking study reveals the real health impact of industrial food processing
Ultra-processed food is dangerous beyond cancer
Although cancer is not something anybody wants to be diagnosed with, ultra-processed food is associated with a tremendous array of other unpleasant and potentially deadly conditions.
The consumption of ultra-processed foods is linked with heart disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and a variety of other short and long-term afflictions.
The high amount of vegetable seed oils and sugar in ultra-processed foods have been implicated in causing insulin resistance and diabetes and creating a pro-inflammatory state throughout the body. The dangers and concerns are real; ultra-processed foods are, in essence, not even really food.
Reclaim your health by ditching ultra-processed foods
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