Processed foods are real foods… infused with preservatives and chemicals, from your hotdogs to your low-fat yoghurt. Junk foods on the other hand is your processed foods, minus a big percentage of the real stuff – from doughnuts, sodas to your cold cereals. Then, we have those fake foods made entirely of gums or sugar fillers like that bottle of salad dressing or instant coffee. When you go to the grocery, it is really hard to know if you’re indeed buying something natural and organic. Unless you have more than an hour to spare reading all those labels ( and looking ridiculous along the way ), you truly need to know why you should steer clear of processed foods, altogether.

What Toxins are Found in Your Processed Foods?

1. Nitrites or Nitrates – used to make your ham or bacon pink. This is known to cause nausea, headaches, or asthma.
2. Sodium Nitrite – same thing with your nitrites, although it can lead to higher risk for cancer.
3. Sulfur Dioxide – used on dried fruits to prevent browning, it can fool you into eating rotten fruits or veggies. This chemical destroys your essential Vitamin B.
4. Sodium Benzoate – which you can find in your margarine, fruit juices, or soda. Severe allergies and deaths have been reported in some cases.
5. BHT or BHA – also known as Butylated Hydroxytoluene or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, these are the most controversial antioxidants ever and are banned in some countries. These can cause hyperactivity, cancer, and damages to a person’s nerve and liver.
6. Coal Tar – which is used as a food coloring base, is an artificial food dye which is banned in Norway. It can cause cancer, allergies, hypersensitivity, or asthma.
7. Saccharine and Aspartame – are notorious artificial sweeteners that contribute to bladder cancer, allergies, or hyperactivity. The sweet taste may satisfy your mouth, but the brain will feel depleted of sugar, making you crave for more of your bad sweets.
8. Propylene Glycol – is a synthetic emulsifier or food stabilizer which can be toxic to your skin or nervous system.
9. MSG – or known as Monosodium Glutamate, which is a famous food enhancer. Other than causing allergic reactions, headaches, depression, chest pains, or mood swings, MSG can be a potent neurotoxin.
10. Refined Products – from flours to sugar, they raise your glucose levels to sky-high, making you a possible candidate for obesity.
11. Chloride Oxide – which is popular with white flour products, is known to be linked with diabetes.
12. Hydrogenated Fats – or your popular trans fats, which raise your cholesterol levels, making you at risk for arterial plaques and heart disease.

You are what you eat and no wonder that we are faced with more diseases today than all of mankind’s civilizations combined. New diseases rise like mushrooms in spring time and we should never wonder why. The foods we eat can greatly affect the health of our bodies. This is a fact. The more you expose yourself to harmful foods, the more you make yourself at high risk for many serious diseases. Your only option is to lead a healthier lifestyle and choose natural products. If you can find organic produce, do so. It may be a tough fight but the rewards can be truly priceless. Eat Healthy… Stay Healthier!

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