Processed foods are foods that have been transformed or altered from their original form chemically or physically. From this simple definition we learn that most of the foods we consume are processed. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayNot all processed foods are harmful. In fact, food processing makes some foods safe for consumption, as is the case with milk which requires pasteurization to eliminate harmful bacteria. Some other foods require processing to allow access, such as pressing seeds to produce oil. Even cooked foods are processed foods! Believe it or not, cooked foods are classified as processed foods. The pros and cons of cooking include the loss of nutrients, the availability of nutrients for absorption, an increase in the nutritional content of some foods, the death of harmful organisms making food safer, preserving and improving the aesthetics of some foods. (1) Starchy foods such as yam, potatoes, beans and corn can only be digested after cooking. The digestibility of protein in cooked eggs is 180% higher than that of protein in raw eggs. Water-soluble vitamins (vitamin C and B vitamins), fat-soluble vitamins (vitamin A, D, E and K) and minerals (potassium, magnesium, calcium and sodium) can be lost during the cooking process. Most of the vitamins contained in vegetables are lost during boiling. But if you consume water, 100% of the minerals and 70-90% of the B vitamins are retained. (2) Since there is no perfect cooking method that retains all the nutrients, it is important to select the cooking method better cooking to maximize nutrients. How to cook for shorter periods, lower temperature and minimum water as appropriate. All this has been said. I bet when your teacher or mother advised you to stay away from processed foods, they weren't referring to cooked foods but rather commercially processed foods. For the purposes of this post, from here on out I will refer to commercially processed foods when you see processed foods. Apparently not all processed foods are inherently bad for your health. Aside from added sugar and salt, some commercially processed foods contain serious chemicals such as artificial flavors, colors, enriching nutrients, and preservatives. These are absolutely bad for you. Subjecting your diet to the consumption of these types of foods means, in the long run, giving up your health to disease and being fat or both. What are your favorite processed foods1. Processed meatMeat can be classified as healthy. But opting for processed meats like sausages, deli meats, jerky, bacon, hot dogs, deli meats, corned beef, canned meats, smoked meats, and meat-based sauces are generally considered bad (3). Actually eating them is a big NO! Studies have shown the link between processed meat consumption and a number of health problems such as: hypertension (4, 5), heart disease (6, 7), colorectal cancer (8, 9, 10, 11, 12) gastric esophageal cancer. (13) It is important to note that these studies of processed meat consumption in humans are observational in nature. They show the connection between eating processed meat and the likelihood of developing these diseases rather than whether they actually cause them. Why isn't processed meat so good? I'm always happy when you ask such great questions! One thing is for sure, processed meat definitely contains itchemicals that increase the risk of chronic diseases. Some of these chemicals include: Nitrite/Nitrate, Nitrosamines: Nitrite/Nitrate acts as a preservative that slows rancidity by suppressing fat oxidation. Helps maintain the red/pink color of the meat, prevents bacterial growth and improves flavor. Nitrite from processed meat at the time of consumption can be converted into nitrosamine which has been shown to increase the risk of stomach and colon cancer (14, 15). But wait a minute....Nitrates/nitrites are also naturally present in some vegetables. From my further research, kitchen-oriented articles made it clear that some vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, beets and spinach contain sodium nitrate. The level of nitrate/nitrite in plants is influenced by the level of nitrogen in the soil and by fertilizers. In fact, the concentration of nitrates/nitrites is much higher in vegetables than in processed meat. Let's be clear about one thing: nitrites and nitrates do not have carcinogenic potential in any way. They are actually produced by the body. They work as antimicrobial agents against salmonella in the digestive system. How do dietary nitrates/nitrites differ from those in processed meat? I'm happy you asked! The difference between nitrites in processed meats and vegetables is the fact that nitrites found in the former when consumed combines with proteins called amines to form nitrosamines which are a potential carcinogen. On the other hand, vegetables contain antioxidants (ascorbic acid) which prevent the formation of nitrosamines. Instead, nitrate/nitrite turns into nitric oxide, an important signaling molecule that makes blood vessels dilate and reduce blood pressure (25). Knowing that high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, the importance of this cannot be over emphasized. Dietary nitrate/nitrite can be used to increase energy levels by increasing the efficiency of the part of the cell that produces energy; the mitochondria. This ability is harnessed during high-intensity exercise to improve physical performance (26). In processed meat, nitrosamines are formed when exposed to high heat (130 degrees) such as in the case of grilling or frying (27). But you love your bacon If you really think you can't survive without your beloved bacon, you can look for high-quality nitrite-free bacon, not the kind soaked in celery salt and the like that also contains nitrates. Likewise you can choose to fry bacon on low heat for a long period of time, this can reduce the production of nitrosamines. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) PAH is a pollutant that forms during the incomplete combustion of organic materials. Smoking is one of the oldest methods of meat processing, often combined with salting and drying. This process leads to the formation of potentially harmful chemicals such as PAHs (16, 18). PAHs are formed when flames and smoke during an outdoor grilling session form due to dripping fat and juice from the meat. Smoke contains PAHs that stick to the flesh. PAHs are toxic with mutagenic and/or carcinogenic properties (17) and studies have shown this (28)Heterocyclic amines (HCAs)These are chemicals that are formed when meats such as beef, pork, poultry and even fish are cooked using high-temperature methods such as frying and grilling (31). HCAs are proven mutagens and can increase the risk of colon, breast, and prostate cancer (32, 33, and 34) HCAs are formed when the building blocks of proteins (called amino acids), a substance in muscles (called creatine) esugars react at high temperatures. It is even more surprising to know that well-cooked and fried chicken or steak has a higher concentration of HCA. You know what, with all this craziness that comes with eating meat, I now understand on a greater level why some decide to escape this drama by staying entirely meat-based. I would probably do it in the near future. Sodium Chloride (Table Salt) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that daily salt intake be no more than one teaspoon (2,300 milligrams) or less than 1,500 milligrams if greater than 50 years. Most processed meats are high in sodium chloride. Table salt is important for maintaining the correct fluid balance in the body. When it is in excess, it has been attributed to the development of various health problems such as: Blood pressure is the force with which the heart pumps blood against the artery wall. If blood pressure remains high for a long period of time, the tissue that makes up the artery wall stretches beyond its usual limit. This in turn can lead to an increased risk of health complications such as blood, vascular weakening, stress on the circulatory system (20, 21) Some observational studies have shown that a high-salt diet can lead to the growth of H pylori, a bacterium which over time causes stomach ulcer which is a precursor to stomach cancer. (22, 23) Others include: heart disease (24) and kidney stones (20) Other chemicals found in processed meat include:o hydrolyzed vegetable protein index hydrolyzed corn syrup hydrolyzed milk protein flavorings modified starch sodium nitrite sodium ascorbic acid MSG dyes If the sight of these doesn't scare you, I wonder what might. Like, what are those!!!!!! Processed meat is terrible for your health, no doubt, but an occasional bite isn't bad as long as it doesn't make up a part of your diet. As I always say, moderation is the key. White flour is obtained from wheat. The process involves removing the nutrient-dense germ and fiber bran leaving behind the endosperm which is nothing more than starch. White flour is absolutely devoid of fiber and nutrients. This finely ground powder is used for culinary activities such as baking. Bake those beloved cakes, cookies, pies, pancakes and many other high carb junk foods. Your love for these junk foods doesn't prevent the fact that they contribute to obesity and other health problems. Why is flour bad for you? I am lacking in important vitamins and minerals Whole wheat is actually nutrient-dense and contains tons of vitamins and minerals that are good for the body. White flour undergoes heavy processing which frees it from this goodness. 97% of fiber is lost, as are 76% of vitamins. In my opinion, white flour is USELESS from a nutritional point of view. It becomes alarming if your diet revolves around foods derived from white flour. You may simply be starving your cells without actually feeling hungry. Except when, for good reason, health problems begin to creep in. Nutrient deficiency has been linked to a number of health conditions. Enrichment is the process of adding nutrients to flour. It has to be good, right? I do not believe. Iron is an added nutrient in enriched flour. The bad news is that this nutrient is actually toxic. It is metallic and is not bioavailable to humans, meaning it cannot be absorbed into the body. It's just not meant to be consumed. They have been bleached To think that the food we consume can also bleach. The main purpose!