The easiest way to maintain good health and be more immune to diseases is to pay attention to your diet. Some foods in your kitchen that you might think are harmless can actually be harmful to your health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 5 billion people worldwide are at risk due to these foods.
Here's the list of some harmful foods:
Hydrogenated (trans) fats, which are oils solidified through special processes and often used in restaurants, can be harmful to the body. These trans fats increase the risk of heart disease and death.
In 2018, the WHO called for the global elimination of industrially produced trans fats.
Reusing cooking oils makes them more harmful. The healthiest way to fry is to use a small amount of olive oil without coating the food in flour. Any other method of frying not only destroys the beneficial contents of foods but can also make them harmful.
Refined sugar is derived from sugar beets and consists of fructose and glucose. It contains no protein, fat, vitamins, or minerals. Most nutritionists argue that the body does not need refined sugar at all. Excessive refined sugar strains the liver and increases the risk of many diseases.
If you reduce your refined sugar intake, your body can get the sugar it needs from processing the naturally occurring sugars in grains and legumes, which is much healthier.
Among artificial sweeteners, substances like acesulfame potassium, monosodium glutamate, sucralose, aspartame, and sodium benzoate are considered especially harmful.
Instead of artificial sweeteners, natural ones like coconut sugar, maple syrup, and honey can be used. However, experts warn that excessive consumption of these can also be harmful.
The WHO suggests not exceeding 25 grams of regular sugar per day.
Additives are also commonly used in processed foods. Some of the most harmful additives include corn syrup, phenylalanine, agave, potassium bromate, artificial flavors and food coloring, brominated vegetable oil, BHA, and BHT.
Most packaged foods contain harmful preservatives added to extend shelf life, making these products unhealthy. For example, monosodium glutamate in chips can be as harmful as smoking. Instead of store-bought chips, you can make your own from thinly sliced potatoes or tortillas baked in the oven.
It's helpful to read the ingredients list when shopping. Even foods like milk and dairy products, which you might not doubt, can become harmful when packaged.
It is widely known that margarine is the most harmful of all fats. The trans fats, potassium sorbate, soybean oil, and food coloring used in margarine production make it harmful. It's healthier to use natural vegetable oils instead of margarine.
Bouillon, often added to rice, soups, and many other dishes, causes serious damage to the body. Bouillons contain a harmful substance called monosodium glutamate (MSG). This substance, which leads to various diseases, has many adverse health effects. In fact, it can even lead to a reaction known as 'Chinese Restaurant Syndrome.'
Regular bouillon consumption can lead to abnormal heartbeats, breathing difficulties, brain fog, and even conditions like Alzheimer's.
