By Adebukola Aluko

Processed foods are foods that have been altered from their natural state in some way, often through the addition of preservatives, artificial flavours and other additives, during preparation to make them more convenient, shelf-stable or flavorful. It changes the nutritional profile and increases the shelf-life in most cases.

Processed foods are often stripped of their natural nutrients during processing, meaning they may lack important vitamins and minerals that are necessary for good health.

Processed foods are often high in sugar, fat and empty calories. Consuming lots of these foods has long been linked to an increased risk of a wide variety of health problems that can lead to heart diseases or an early grave, such as obesity, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, cancer and depression.

Examples of Processed Foods

The following are the most common products you may see

  • Instant Noodles
  • Chips
  • Bottled Juices, Soda
  • Canned Goods
  • Chocolates, candies and other packaged sweets
  • Packaged Meat
  • Processed Dairy
  • Microwavable meals
  • Cakes and biscuits
  • Breakfast cereals
  • Bread

Health Risks of Processed Foods

Obesity

The excessive consumption of processed foods, junk foods, and ready-to-cook meals leads to obesity.

Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a collection of several conditions that occur together. Also, the main components include high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, hypercholesterolemia, and strokes.

Metabolic syndrome occurs when any of the following factors are present:

  • Low HDL (healthy) cholesterol levels 
  • High fasting blood sugar 
  • Large waist circumference.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease or IBD is a condition that involves inflammation in the digestive tract and makes it swollen. The common symptoms are blood in stools, fatigue, unwanted weight loss, and sudden fever. 

Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune cells attack the healthy cells in the body. Furthermore, processed foods disable the intestine’s protection from bacteria, toxins, chemicals, and other non-nutritional substances, which raises the chances of developing autoimmune diseases.

Colorectal Cancer

It is a type of cancer that starts within the colon and leads to the rectum. Processed meats that include lunch meat, bacon, sausage, hot dogs, or other meat products that go through a chemical treatment to forestall rancidity are the significant foods resulting in colorectal cancer. Some signs and symptoms include blood in stools, unwanted weight loss, anaemia, fatigue, constipation, or stomach ache

Anxiety and Depression

Studies prove a high intake of healthy foods reduces the risks of anxiety and depression. However, canned products are high in sugar or sodium. Processed cheese, cured meats, pastries, candies, fried foods, and bottled beverages also contain a very high level of salt and sugar which might cause an increased level of glucose or sodium in our bloodstream, which may result in diabetes or blood pressure. In addition, it increases the pressure by enhancing the release of adrenalin into the bloodstream, thereby causing anxiety. 

How to Reduce Processed Foods from Our Diet?

Eat More Homemade Meals

Choose Minimally Processed Meats

Check the Label

Determination and Willpower

While processed foods may be convenient and affordable, they are often lacking in important nutrients and can pose several dangers to our health. It is important to limit our intake of processed foods and opt for whole, unprocessed foods whenever possible to maintain good health. Eat healthily.

pub-5160901092443552

Related Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *