Harmful Effects Of Processed Food: America has taken a big step regarding the eating habits of its citizens. The central government has issued new Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025–2030, which are considered to be the biggest change in nutrition policy in the last several decades. These guidelines have been prepared jointly by the US Health and Public Welfare Department and the Agriculture Department. Let us tell you about it.

What is special in it?

The most important thing about the new guidelines is the return of the food pyramid. But this time its message is very simple and straightforward that stay away from packaged food and eat real food. American officials say that instead of making people dependent on medicines and processed food, efforts are being made to return them to everyday nutrition.

This decision has been taken at a time when America is going through a serious health crisis. More than 70 percent of adults there are either overweight or obese. Almost every third teenager is in prediabetes. The situation is such that about 90 percent of the country’s healthcare expenditure is being incurred on those diseases, the root of which is considered to be wrong eating habits and spoiled lifestyle.

What is the guideline?

The new food pyramid has been created as a simple guide for people to make better food choices in their everyday lives. In this, priority has been given to such food items which are rich in nutrients and are not overly processed. According to the guidelines, real food is food that has minimal ingredients and does not contain added sugar, industrial oil, artificial flavors or preservatives.

Vice versa in India

While on one hand, major changes are being made in America regarding food habits so that health can be maintained, on the other hand, the opposite is happening in India. According to the Lancet report, retail sales of ultra-processed food in the country have increased by 40 percent from 2006 to 2019. Talking about retail sales, according to the ICRIER report between 2011 and 2021, there has been an annual increase of 13 percent.

According to the Euromonitor report within the country, the per capita consumption of packaged or processed food increased from Rs 2,800 in 2012 to Rs 5,200 in 2018. The situation is such that 11 percent people are suffering from diabetes, 3.4 percent small children are also becoming victims of obesity, about 29 percent people are suffering from obesity and 15 percent of the population is showing symptoms of diabetes.

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Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

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Nowadays many of us are increasingly moving towards packaged and ready-to-eat products. They are convenient to eat and easily available, but recent research has shown that some common preservatives used in some food items can be harmful to our health. Two large studies, conducted in France and published in the British Medical Journal and Nature Communications, analyzed the diet and health data of more than 1 lakh adults between 2009 and 2023. This study was conducted under the NutriNet-Sant group and its objective was to understand whether long-term consumption of these preservatives increases the risk of serious diseases like cancer and type 2 diabetes.

What are ultra-processed foods?

Ultra-processed foods are those that are prepared in factories. These usually contain too much sugar, salt and unhealthy fats, while having very little essential nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. These products also often contain additives such as preservatives, emulsifiers and stabilizers. These are such chemicals which are rarely used in normal household food.

What did the research find?

The research examined 17 common preservatives, which included substances such as potassium sorbate, sodium nitrite and acetic acid. All these are commonly found in packaged foods sold in India. Excessive consumption of potassium sorbate can increase the risk of overall cancer by 14 percent and the risk of breast cancer by 26 percent. Sulfites increased overall cancer risk by 12 percent. Sodium nitrite was found to increase the risk of prostate cancer by 32 percent. Potassium nitrate and acetic acid intake linked to overall cancer and breast cancer.

However, researchers clarified that it is too early to say that consumption of these preservatives is a direct cause of cancer. This requires more in-depth study. But it is definitely believed that these chemicals can increase inflammation and oxidative stress in the body and can affect the intestinal microbiota, which can increase the risk of cancer and other diseases.

Indian Preservatives

The packaged food market is growing rapidly in India. Experts say these findings further reinforce that the modern diet pattern, which is based mostly on ultra-processed food, can be harmful to health. Experts say that based on these results, it is necessary to conduct immediate regulatory review and increase public awareness. He says that ultra-processed foods have already been found to be linked to about 32 health problems including metabolic and mental disorders, untimely death.

How do preservatives cause harm?

Preservatives are added to food items mainly to prevent them from spoiling and to increase their shelf life. But experts say they can also affect the natural structure of food. When this structure is disrupted, even healthy nutrients can have harmful effects. Many preservatives can cause multiple levels of inflammation, oxidative stress and disturbance in the gut microbiota in the body over a long period of time.

What can be done?

Researchers suggest that regulators should strictly monitor and make rules on the use of preservatives. Till then, consumers are advised to eat as much fresh and less processed food as possible. Policy action regarding ultra-processed food has started in many countries of the world. TV and online advertising has been banned in Britain for the safety of children. The US updated its diet guidelines and advised people to prioritize fresh and less processed foods over packaged products.

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Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

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Unicef ​​Report on Child Obsity: For the first time in the world, the problem of obesity is increasing instead of lean in children. UNICEF’s new report warns that ultra processed junk food is dominating the food of children, causing their health and development in serious threat. According to the report, about 188 million in the world, one in every 10 children is obese.

Katherine Russell, executive director of UNICEF, said about the report that when we talk about malnutrition, now not only lean children but also the children struggling with obesity will have to be worried. Junk food is now replacing fruits, vegetables and protein. Whereas for the physical and mental development of children, proper nutrition is very important.

Obesity replaced malnutrition

The report suggests that 9.2 children between 5 and 19 years are lean, while 9.4 copy children are obese. In the year 2000, where about 13% of the children were lean and only three percent were thick, the situation has reversed. Obesity has now become a bigger threat than malnutrition in all areas.

Which countries are the worst in which countries

1. Pacific Iceland- Neeu and Cook Iceland have the highest obesity rate among children aged 5 to 19 years.
2. Chile, America and UAE-The situation is also serious in these three rich countries. Among these countries, Chile has a rate of 27 percent of Chile, in the US and in the UAE 21 percent obesity.
3. Britain- In the year 2000 in Britain, the rate of obesity in children was 9 perfects, which has now increased to 11 copies in 2022.
4. Kenya- In Kenya, in the last 20 years, the number of thick girls has doubled to 13 replica.
5. South Africa- In South Africa, one in every 8 children are struggling with obesity while one in every four children are victims of stunting.

Big impact on children’s health

UNICEF reports suggest that obesity is increasing the risk of heart diseases, diabetes and cancer in children. Ultra processed food -like packets, sweet drinks, biscuits, cakes and ready -to -eat meals dominate the children’s diet. These foods contain high amount of sugar fat and salt and they pass through industrial process. This report warns that the schools and markets are full of junk food and their marketing on digital platforms is targeting children and parents. UNICEF has appealed to the governments to impose labeling and tax on junk food. Apart from this, their sales and advertisements should be banned in schools and better plans should be made to give healthy diet to poor families. In this report, Mexico’s move has also been praised where the sale and distribution of junk food has been banned in the school.

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