Drop the potato chips… you’re about to learn about how the processed foods (and the hidden chemicals inside of them) you’re eating are toxic to your teenage body.
A new study found that adolescents obtain two-thirds of their daily calorie intake from ultra-processed foods (UPF). This consistent consumption has an effect on both the mental and physical health of teens
“Ultra-processed foods are typically high in sugar, sodium (and) trans and saturated fats, are energy-dense and are low in fiber and micronutrients,” said lead researcher Dr. Zefeng Zhang, an epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.
Over-consumption of ultra processed foods can lead to a high-sodium diet, which can cause high blood pressure. Furthermore, the consumption of trans and saturated fats, also commonly found in ultra-processed foods, can lead to heart disease.
A review published in the British Medical Journal revealed that greater exposure to UPFs was related to a higher mortality and has ties to diabetes, heart disease, mental health disorders, and 30 other health conditions.
Ultra-processed foods are industrial concoctions composed of substances extracted from foods or chemically-altered fats and starches. These foods often contain additives created in laboratories that increase their shelf life or make them more palatable, leading to addiction.
Unlike the food approval systems in other countries, America’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) utilizes the “Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS)” approach, meaning that they consider food additives to be safe unless proven otherwise. Therefore, there are a number of these additives used in ultra-processed foods that have an effect on consumers’ health, and are banned in Europe and other countries, but not the United States.
One of these additives, known as titanium dioxide, is commonly hidden on nutrition labels, as it is often labeled as “artificial color” or “added color.” This labeling can mislead customers into consuming titanium dioxide without even realizing it. Titanium dioxide can be found in many sweets and snacks, like candy or gum, as well as cottage cheese, soups, and sauces, in order to brighten the color of these products. Research has found that titanium dioxide can be related to certain cancers and is able to damage DNA, however additional research is needed to determine this relationship further.
Two other harmful additives that are banned in the European Union but not the U.S. are BHA and BHT, which both act as preservatives in many items, including but not limited to: cereals, frozen foods, baking mixes, and chips. There is growing animal research that relates BHA and BHT to an increased risk of cancer, a disruption in the endocrine system, and organ toxicity, however, these studies have yet to be further researched on humans.
Additionally, many ultra-processed foods use synthetic food dyes, which have raised a growing concern on its effects on the behaviors of children. Some research has found that removing artificial food dyes from a child’s diet can reduce symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Furthermore, a certain type of blue food dye has been found to cross into brain tissue of adults, which can make the brain more susceptible to metal toxicity. According to the FDA, the use of artificial food dyes has grown over five times in size since the 1950’s, and it has not yet been banned in the U.S. or the European Union.
Though it may be difficult to completely avoid these food additives that can easily be hidden in long and wordy food labels, a good step to reduce consumption of these additives is to reduce the amount of ultra-processed foods in your diet. Perhaps consider dropping your potato chips for a bowl of popcorn, or swapping out your Skittles for crunchy grapes. Unfortunately, the FDA hasn’t banned many of these harmful additives that we’d like to protect ourselves from, so it’s up to us to maintain our health by practicing moderation in our diets.
