2024-03-05 04:22:26
Shopping at the supermarket has become a real headache. Between new products touting the freshness and health benefits of their ingredients, it’s difficult to distinguish truly healthy foods from those that are not.
Despite the abundance of choices, some products are not as beneficial as they claim and may even turn out to be harmful. In our quest for a healthy diet, it is essential to know which foods to avoid, because sometimes it is more important to avoid unhealthy foods than to try to eat perfectly well every day. This article aims to reveal some of these misleading foods:
Tea bags
Tea bags, often seen as a healthy alternative to daily coffee, hide a dirty secret. Although practical and appreciated for their variety, such as green teas, Oolong teas, or infusions with multiple virtues, these bags can be a source of serious health problems. The reason ? Their composition now includes polypropylene, a type of plastic, to reinforce their resistance in hot water. This is especially true for pyramid-shaped tea bags, which are made entirely from plastic fibers.
When immersed in hot water, these sachets release billions of microplastics and nanoplastics, invisible to the naked eye but harmful to our body. These particles accumulate in our bodies, potentially causing inflammation, destruction of immune cells, and even promoting the growth of cancer cells. To avoid these risks, it is recommended to opt for infusions using stainless steel strainers or washable and reusable bags.
Rapeseed oil
Canola oil, widely consumed and valued for its purported health benefits, poses controversial risks. All vegetable oils have a smoke point, which is a temperature at which they begin to emit continuous smoke and break down their fatty acids into harmful substances, some of which may be carcinogenic. Despite a high smoke point, refined canola oil exhibits lower oxidative stability compared to other oils, producing more toxic compounds at high temperatures.
These substances, like aldehydes, are associated with cardiovascular disease, cancer, and an increased risk of dementia. In addition, the presence of GMOs in certain rapeseed oil production raises concerns about their disruptive effects on our hormones and the risk of cancer. It is therefore crucial to carefully choose the oils we consume, favoring those that are organic, cold-extracted, and suitable for cooking, such as olive oil or avocado oil.
Analogue cheese
Analogue cheese, often used to sprinkle our dishes and give them a rich taste and soft texture, is nowhere near as beneficial as real cheese. Unlike traditional cheese, made from animal fat, analogue cheese is a mixture of water, palm oil, emulsifiers to homogenize the oil and water, and coagulants like rennet to imitate the appearance of authentic cheese.
Although these cheeses are appealing for their texture and lower price, they contain no calcium and may trigger allergic reactions in some people who are sensitive to chemicals.
Additionally, although they appear equivalent in saturated fat, analog cheeses contain less protein and much more sodium than real cheese.
Excessive consumption of fake cheese increases the risk of vascular diseases, such as hypertension and high cholesterol. It is therefore important to read labels carefully and avoid products bearing terms such as “filling”, “processed cheese-style preparation”, or “processed imitation”, which indicate the presence of similar cheese.
Industrial fruit juices
Industrial fruit juices, often perceived as a healthy option, can actually harm your health due to their excessive sugar content. Drinking a glass of industrial fruit juice is compared to consuming a can of soda, due to the addition of syrups or sweeteners like liquid fructose.
These additions increase the risk of adult diseases, such as obesity and cardiovascular disease. A Harvard University study found that daily consumption of fruit juice increases the risk of developing diabetes by 21%.
Whole fruits, rich in fiber, have the advantage of requiring prolonged chewing and slow digestion, which prevents rapid spikes in blood sugar.
Conversely, the juicing process breaks down fiber, speeding up the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream. It is therefore recommended to favor the consumption of whole fruits rather than in the form of juice.
The canned goods
Canned products offer the advantage of being economical and having a long shelf life. However, they may pose health risks not because of their food content, but because of their packaging.
Canned goods are often coated with an epoxy resin to prevent corrosion or erosion of metal in contact with food. This resin contains bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor known to increase the risk of serious diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, memory and reproductive disorders.
Although there is not yet an adequate substitute for BPA, its presence in food packaging continues to be a major concern. It is therefore essential to be vigilant and avoid reheating foods directly in their cans, especially if they are dented or swollen, and to limit the consumption of canned juice to minimize exposure to BPA.
Industrial cereals
Industrial cereals, often presented as a quick and balanced breakfast choice, hide a reality that is less healthy than it seems. These products, although convenient, are generally loaded with sugar. A serving of sugar-coated cereal can contain up to 12 grams of sugar, turning your morning bowl into a sugar bomb.
Consuming a bowl of these cereals is equivalent to ingesting almost half of the recommended daily sugar intake in one sitting. Additionally, recommended serving sizes on packages, often around 30 grams, are far less than most people actually consume, leading to sugar consumption well beyond recommendations.
In addition to their high sugar content, these cereals are also criticized for their low intake of protein and natural fats, contributing to increased risks of diabetes and allergic reactions in some consumers. For those who enjoy cereals, it’s crucial to read labels carefully and choose low-sugar options, while still focusing on a balanced, nutrient-rich diet.
Ice cream
Ice cream, despite its image as an irresistible treat, is often filled with additives and components that are unsuitable for healthy consumption. Synthetic colors, artificial sweeteners, dextrin, polyglycerol, gelling agents like carrageenan, and other additives make this dessert far from harmless for our health.
Of particular concern among these components are emulsifiers, used to bind water and oil, the main ingredients of ice cream. Recent studies suggest that these substances can disrupt the intestinal microbiota, increase the risk of inflammation, promote the appearance of certain cancers, and cause skin and kidney disorders, as well as liver damage.
Faced with these risks, reducing the consumption of ice cream, especially those rich in additives, is a prudent approach. Opting for healthier alternatives or homemade versions with natural ingredients may be a better option for satisfying sweet cravings without compromising your health.
Conclusion
Being aware of the foods we eat is essential to maintaining good health. As we have seen, some products commonly perceived as healthy or convenient, such as tea bags, canola oil, analog cheese, industrial fruit juices, canned goods, industrial cereals, and ice cream , can actually pose risks to our well-being.
These foods, often loaded with additives, sugar, or harmful substances, should be consumed in moderation or avoided in favor of more natural and less processed options. Adopting healthy eating habits, favoring fresh and minimally processed foods, and taking the time to read labels are key steps to guaranteeing our long-term well-being. Together, let’s age better by making informed choices for our health.
Source: Better Aging TV
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