The Dangers of Processed Foods: Depression, Cancer Diseases, Heart Disease and Stroke… So You Can Change Your Routine – Nada Abdel Razzak

Food preservation, or so-called FOOD PRESERVATION, is material added to foods and foodstuffs for the purpose of slowing down the time of spoilage or spoilage. In this process, chemicals and high levels of hidden sugar, sodium, fats, hydrogenated oils, artificial and artificial colors and flavors are used, according to foodists.

These processed foods, with their preservatives, cause health problems because they contain a lot of unhealthy fats linked to inflammation, according to the American MAYO CLINIC. Studies indicate that processed foods can lead to the elimination of natural vitamins and minerals, according to HARVARD of Public Health, which negatively affect mental, physical and intellectual health, and are also linked to weight gain due to their content. high in calories.

And in a study conducted by “Harvard” in 2019, it showed that eating this type of processed food increases the speed of hunger, and therefore eating it again and even overdoing it.

In a related context, studies have shown a link between these foods and death, according to a 2019 study that analyzed the diets of approximately 20,000 men and women who died within five years and whose leading cause of death was was “cancer,” which increased 62% for those who ate more than four servings of processed and canned foods per day, while it increased 18% for those who ate one serving per day.

It is not only about the harmfulness of processed foods for human health. Moreover, studies conducted in this context have revealed what they contain of fats, sauces, meat, sugars, processed drinks and of various meals which were the direct cause of heart disease, high blood pressure. pressure and stroke, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).

Private trainer, nutritionist and bodybuilding champion, Taha “Maryoud” tells Al Diyar: “Going into processed foods can add very dangerous substances to your health in every bite. The food we find in supermarkets and restaurants is far He points out that responsible companies During manufacturing and packaging, large amounts of preservatives, chemicals and additives are used that harm the body in the long and short term, and we will discover 12 types of toxins in processed foods and their effects on the body, and most of them are frightening and have a strong connection to modern diseases and are increasing moment by moment.He adds that the world has become a shredding machine Eating without looking at the content of the product that enters their body and the extent of its effect on psychological and physical health, psychological health and even health mental.

toxic elements

Taha says, “When shopping, you should look at the contents of packages and labels, which are mostly sold in supermarkets and contain at least one of the toxic elements we’ll talk about so people know what they are and how. avoid them when they buy one of them.”

Corn syrup is high in fructose

“Talking about this substance, which is usually concentrated in soft drinks and sweets of all kinds and is used in fast food. This indicates that it is a major cause of weight gain, abdominal protrusion and excessive obesity It is characterized by insulin resistance and increased fat in the aforementioned area, and a reason for the prevalence of heart disease and even strokes.”

trans fat

Taha explains about these fats, called “hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated”, and the resulting effects are very serious and lead to heart disease, diabetes and cancers.

artificial flavors

He addresses this section and where it is found in sweets, soft drinks, cookies and processed foods, describing it as “harmful because it contains more than 100 chemicals that fall into this group, aimed at imparting a flavor closer of nature”. As for the effects that this can cause, he specifies: sensitivity, and behavioral reactions such as hyperactivity.

monosodium glutamate

He continues: “It is also called (MSE) and is stored in many salty foods such as potato chips and breadcrumbs and is used in place of the known salt, ‘sodium chloride’. More, or it may lead to lack of sensation. other flavors, which leads to adding more. More salt in meals is a direct and dangerous matter for high blood pressure diseases.

Artificial colors and sweeteners

Taha dives into explaining these two substances saying, “In addition to flavorings, there are colors in all processed foods, although there is a sentence on the product that says these colors are allowed, but this explanation must not be reliable because of the effects of these elements on children in terms of allergies and sinus congestion, hyperactivity in young children and dangerous childhood psychological disorders that lead to distraction.

Sugar Substitute Burns “Taste Buds”

People who maintain a lean body or diet often resort to replacing regular sweeteners with those that are low in calories, such as aspartame, which affects the nervous system and dizziness, and “sucralose”, which according to Taha reduces the good bacteria in the intestine, and “acesulfame potassium”, which causes cancer with “saccharin”. Taha explains the difference between the two substances by saying, “In both cases, the same thing happens with the ‘glutamate’ and salty tastes, but with the sweet it is said to burn the ‘taste buds’ or prevent them, so we don’t realize if it actually has a lot of sugar in it and that’s why we’ll be adding more sweetener or sugar each time.”

Preservatives suffocate cells

Taha compares it saying, “One of the ‘stars’ in the processed foods we eat and its different types are the antioxidants E-319” causes nausea and even vomiting and tinnitus, polysyrates 60, 65 and 80 cause infertility and allergies and suppress and weaken the immune system, BHT, E-321, BHA or E-320 causes kidney and liver problems in addition to being carcinogenic. And he added, in addition to emulsifiers, defoamers, sodium nitrite and canola oil, which is known as a healthy oil, but 30% of the products we consume “suffocate the cells”, this which prevents their work and causes emphysema and respiratory distress. which leads to cancer.

Practical steps to reduce the consumption of processed foods with healthy meals at your fingertips

Our kitchen is healthy

Taha explains how to keep our kitchen originally healthy and full of fresh, nutritious snacks that can be made ahead and saved for later, like hard-boiled eggs, turkey rolls, kale chips, rolled oats and protein-rich quinoa.

Completely replace processed grains

Taha says, “One of the easiest ways to cut down on refined foods is to replace them with healthy foods. For example, white pasta, rice, and white bread can be replaced with whole grains, which contain important nutrients such as fiber, as well as help protect against heart disease, diabetes, and various types of cancer. .”

Homemade Healthy Alternatives

Foods such as manufactured ones and our favorites can be prepared in our kitchen, but in a healthy and safe way, and so we control the ingredients of the meals. Taha points out: “It is possible to try new interesting ingredients, for example: French fries can be made from vegetables by placing slices of potatoes, courgettes or carrots with a little olive oil and salt, then cooking them until crispy and delicious. »

Drink more water

To improve our diet, we must avoid or reduce sugary drinks such as sodas, tea, fruit juices and energy drinks that are high in sugar and calories and low in healthy and essential nutrients, and gradually replace them with natural or infused mineral water with fresh fruit or herbs.

healthier vegetables

Everyone agrees that vegetables are high fiber food sources, which help you feel full and reduce appetite and the desire to eat more between meals, so it is advisable to consume more in the wild. Emphasizing that this vegetarian diet, according to studies, prolongs life and reduces aging or cell damage.

Change your shopping routine

Trainer, bodybuilder and nutritionist Taha Muroud concludes by saying: “Reducing the consumption of foods high in chemicals and carcinogens starts with reducing them or not buying them, and the advice that can be given in this area is to read product labels and not buy them.” foods that contain sodium or trans fats and added sugar.” And choose products that contain the fewest unhealthy additives per 100 grams. Taha advises avoiding the middle aisles, where processed snacks and fast, and to be content with the perimeter of the store.