by Pamela Kay

Created on: August 19, 2008

The dangers, of processed foods, show up most prominently in our health , which depends, in part, on the body's ability to build new cells to replace the dead ones. The body uses what it takes from our blood as its building blocks. When the blood is full of toxins, from processed foods, the process is interrupted and we become susceptible to diseases and early aging.

Some of the effects, such as obesity, we experience now, but most of them won't show up until mid life when we fall victim to cancer or heart disease. In this article, you will learn what processed food is and how it harms your body. Forewarned is forearmed.

1-Processing

*A processed food is one that is altered, in any way, from its natural state. This includes canning and freezing and by this definition, all processed foods are not harmful to you body.

*However, the most prevalent meaning is; a food, which has been altered by milling, bleaching, coloring, texturizing, emulsifying and stabilizing or the use of additives to preserve, salt, sweeten, flavor, extend shelf life or improve taste. These are the hidden dangers of processed foods.

2-What Processing Does To Food

*Processed flour removes the brown husk of the grain, leaving the white, refined starch found in white bread and other junk foods. The body breaks these refined starches down into sugar, which is immediately absorbed by the bloodstream. This can cause a dangerous spike in glucose levels.

*Processing refines foods causing them to move through the digestive system faster, often leaving an unhealthy coating in the colon because of the lack of fiber.

*The act of processing some foods, will remove the fiber, vitamins and other nutrients we need. These are replaced by synthetic vitamins and minerals, which are a poor substitute for the real thing.

3-Chemical Additives

*Sulfur Dioxide is used to keep dried fruit fresh and can cause dehydration and asthma. It also bleaches out rotten spots on some fresh fruits and vegetables, hiding inferiority and destroying vitamin B.

*Propylene glycol, used as an emulsifier or stabilizer in many products such as mayonnaise, is known to be a neurological toxicant.

*Brominated oils, added to fruit juice.

*Formaldehyde, which is added to disinfect frozen vegetables.

*Sodium nitrate, to maintain color in lunch-meats.

*Arsenic is used in livestock feeds to stimulate growth.

4-Carcinogens and Diseases

Over a lifetime of eating processed foods, many of these toxins accumulate in the tissues of our body, until there are too

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