Healthy Living; Refined Foods

The secret is out. It is now in the ‘mainstream media’. NPR has published an article highlighting the fact that the food we eat is slowly killing us.

Evidence against ultra-processed food piles up

A study published in the British Medical Journal finds people who consume high amounts of processed foods have an increased risk of anxiety, depression, obesity, metabolic syndrome, certain cancers including colorectal cancer and premature death.

The data come from more than 9 million people who participated in dozens of studies, which researchers analyzed as part of umbrella review.

One telltale sign that a food is ultra-processed is if its ingredient label includes substances you would not find in your own kitchen such as high-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, hydrolysed protein, or additives such as artificial colors, flavor enhancers, emulsifiers, anti-caking agents and thickeners.

American Foods That Are Banned Abroad

Many American foods are banned in other countries, meaning that other parts of the globe recognize that some ingredients just shouldn’t belong in food. Below are just a small sampling of foods to watch out for.

1. Citrus Soda – Even though you can probably already guess that it will be full of things like sugar and artificial flavorings, what you may not expect is that some common citrus sodas contain brominated vegetable oil (BVO). Used in citrus-flavored processed foods as a way of keeping the citrus from separating, has been linked to irritated skin, loss of memory, and headaches.
2. Breakfast Cereals – Butylated hydroxytoluene (or BHT) is an additive used in some cereal products to preserve the shelf life of the product. Some animal studies have shown BHT to have carcinogenic effects, as well as a link to kidney and thyroid problems.
3. Skittles – These brightly colored candies contain yellow 5 and yellow 6. Studies found a positive relationship between yellow 5 and hyperactivity in children, while studies of yellow 6 found connections to testicular and adrenal tumors. Not to mention the red dyes.
4. Milk – Some milk in the U.S. contains a concerning hormone called rBGH (the recombinant bovine growth hormone). The positive note is that the USDA says that only about 9.7% of dairy companies are using it.
5. Processed Bread – Some U.S.-based foods use a whitening agent called azodicarbonamide (ADA), which can also be found in your favorite yoga mat or in the bottom of your shoes. ADA has been linked to skin irritation and respiratory problems. Many packaged bread products also contain an additive called potassium bromate, used as a preservative. Several animal studies have found that potassium bromate has tumor-causing and carcinogenic effects.
6. Instant Mashed Potatoes – Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) is an additive that keeps the fat in certain food products from going bad on the shelf. While it may keep your shelf-stable foods good, BHA may be a carcinogen to humans.
7. U.S. pork – A common growth hormone used in pigs—called ractopamine—has been banned by many countries. There are some studies that have found a potential connection between this growth hormone and elevated heart rate.

Ultimately, you can’t catch every problem on the shelves, but educate yourself and avoid the center isles as much as possible. Read the lables and watch out for these harmful ingredients. The freshest ingredients are always located on the outer edges of the grocery store and they have the most nutrients.

Another way to avoid pesticides and hormones in your food is to shop local, like at the farmer’s market. If that is hard to come by, stick to organic products if possible. Buy your meats from local producers who are careful about how they treat their livestock. You can get answers first hand how many hormones, antibiotics, and antifungal products they used.

And another bonus: If you “shake the hand that feeds you”, you feel a closer connection to your community.