Effects of Processed Foods
When people think about processed foods they often think of foods that are high in sugar and fat, but there is more to just ingredients. Apart from added ingredients, there is also the effect of what has been stripped away because of the process. These foods can cause health problems and many people don’t understand the effects on the body. Learn more about the effects of processed foods below.
Effects of Sodium
Processed foods are well known for having high levels of sodium. Most people know that sodium should be consumed in moderation, but they don’t necessarily know why. Consuming high levels of sodium, such as that found in processed foods, can lead to many health issues. High blood pressure (which can lead to heart disease), for example, is known to be caused by high sodium diets.
Effects of Sugar
Another thing processed foods are known for is their high sugar content. In most cases this is processed white sugar, which is quite bad for you. A diet that has a lot of refined sugar in it can lead to significant weight gain over time. In addition, eating this much sugar can cause your blood sugar levels to spike, which can cause you to feel unhealthy, lethargic and more. Diets with a lot of sugar in them have also been shown to cause type 2 diabetes, which is a very serious issue that can lead to many related problems including death. Sugar also causes inflammation inside the body, including within blood vessels, which can cause blood clots. The bottom line with sugar is that while some natural sugar in your diet is good, the kind found in processed foods will have a very detrimental effect on your overall health.
Processed Grains
When you consume processed grains such as those found in white rice, many breads and pastas you can run into a variety of different digestive issues (among others), since processed grains are stripped of most of their nutritional value, including fiber. When you consume processed grains your body is unable to fully digest the food as well. For many people, this can result in heartburn, constipation, and many other issues. In more severe cases these foods have been linked to a condition known as
diverticulitis. This is a condition where small pouches are formed within the colon. These pouches can become infected and require surgery or other invasive procedures to treat.
Nutrient Deficiencies
One other effect of processed foods that is often overlooked is the general deficiency of many nutrients. It is very difficult to get all the vitamins and minerals you need when you are consuming all or mostly processed foods. This means your body will be going without key nutrients that are needed to maintain your health. Depending on which processed foods you consume the most you could be missing key items like Vitamin C or B. Other people don’t get enough iron or other nutrients that they need.
Replace Processed with Fresh Foods
A simple step to improving eating habits is by eliminating the worst processed foods and replacing them with fresh options. Having fruits and vegetables in the house to snack on rather than potato chips or other processed foods for example. Anytime you can cut out something processed and replace it with a healthy alternative you can help to fight the effects of processed foods in your body.