According to 2020 data from the Center for Disease Control, 10% of Americans have diabetes,
and 7.3 million more meet the criteria for diabetes but are not aware of it.
And food is at the heart of the matter… More to the point, excess consumption
of stuff that really shouldn’t be considered food…
Packed with chemicals that have dire consequences for long-term health…
Leading to… * Obesity
* Heart disease * Eye and nerve damage
* And diabetes. So today, we’re going to explore the top 5
worst foods on the planet… Including a number of ingredients
that we’ve been told are healthy… but actually wreak havoc with the body.
We’ll reveal one chemical additive that you should be aware of…
which was banned in a number of countries in 2022… Plus we’ll explore simple switches that offer the
same taste and satisfaction, without the health dangers.
But before we dive in… Go ahead and hit that LIKE button,
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Now, let’s jump into the 5 worst foods on the planet…
Food technologists have worked hard on these foods… packing them with preservatives,
salt, sugar, chemical additives… and marketing… In order to keep people coming back for more
and more and more. Number 5. Margarine
Margarine originally shot to fame as a healthier option to butter…
When scientists became aware of the dangers of saturated fat.
But what we know today is that while margarine may contain lower levels of SATURATED fat…
It contains something FAR MORE disastrous. The most dangerous thing about margarine
is that it’s full of trans fat… also known as “partially hydrogenated oil”.
It seems that in this case, “saturated fat” was simply
swapped for “trans fat”… and labeled “healthy”. This nasty fat causes absolute chaos in the body…
Raising LDL cholesterol… causing blood platelets to become sticky and unable to function
properly… And raising your risk of heart attack. In fact a study published in The Lancet looked at
the consumption habits of over 80,000 people. It found that people who ate four or more
teaspoons of margarine per day had a 50% increased risk of heart disease…
Compared to those who only ate it once a month. And the more you eat, the worse it gets…
For those who ate 6 teaspoons of margarine, the risk of heart disease skyrocketed to 70%.
Margarine is made by extracting vegetable oils, heating, processing, and refining them,
and then hydrogenating them… A process that makes margarine
solid at room temperature… But also introduces trans fats.
Nowadays we have far better options, but you need to know what to look for.
For a heart healthier alternative, use liquid olive oil whenever you can… and olive-oil based
spreads or nut oil spreads that contain healthy mono-unsaturated fats and poly-unsaturated fats.
Most importantly, check the ingredient label before putting it in your shopping basket..
Experts recommend limiting saturated fat… And excluding trans fat completely…
If the label lists ANY level of trans fat or “hydrogenated oil”, then it’s not good for you.
There are so many healthy options nowadays, that there is really no reason to buy
trans-fat filled food. Number 4. Diet Soda
The main claim of diet soda is that they offer the sweet taste without the calories…
By using artificial sweeteners such as aspartame or saccharin instead of real sugar…
However these laboratory concoctions don’t come without a cost.
In fact, researchers found that these artificially sweetened beverages actually
led to increased food consumption and weight gain… and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
Artificial sweeteners can be up to 13,000 times sweeter than regular sugar…
And scientists believe that this may have an addictive impact…
Activating the same neural pathways that are triggered by substances like cocaine…
Meaning that your body craves more and more... And the cycle continues.
Another study found that aspartame may change the gut microbiota which
are responsible for insulin resistance… Negatively impacting glucose tolerance…
particularly for people who are overweight. A study published in the scientific journal
Diabetes Care found that drinking diet soda on a daily basis is associated with a whopping 67%
increase in the risk of type 2 diabetes… And a 36% greater risk of metabolic syndrome…
A group of risk factors that include hypertension, obesity, and hyperglycaemia…
Which are associated with stroke, heart disease, and diabetes.
Number 3. Deep fried foods and fast food It’s the end of a long hard day…
And you just can’t be bothered slicing and dicing… Then the shiny lights of the fast food drive
through catch your eye. What do you do?
Well it’s your decision, Well, it can be a difficult choice but the facts are clear…
Fast food and deep fried foods are a nightmare for health.
Beyond excessively high fat levels, which we already know enough about…
deep fried foods also contain nasty compounds called AGEs… or Advanced Glycation End Products.
AGEs are particularly harmful, and are formed when foods are cooked at high temperature.
AGEs cause oxidative stress and inflammation, and play a large role in the current epidemic
of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. These compounds are particularly elevated
when high-fat and high-protein foods like meat are deep fried.
In fact, the Mount Sinai School of Medicine looked at this.
They found that chicken nuggets… sourced from one of the most popular fast food outlets we all know…
contained over 7000 kilounits of AGEs per 90 grams…
While pan-fried chicken breast contained just over 4000 kilounits…
And even better yet… chicken boiled with lemon contained just 861 kilounits of AGEs per 90 grams…
That’s 8 times less! As you can see,
the way your food is cooked MATTERS. The body can naturally fight and eliminate
a moderate level of AGEs, but not when it’s bombarded with extremely high levels…
Such as after a meal of deep fried chicken and French fries.
If your body is regularly overloaded, it simply can’t keep up… and AGEs accumulate…
Potentially leading to major health problems such as diabetes,
heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and kidney failure. A study published in the Journal of Advances in
Nutrition found that long-term exposure to AGEs eventually weakens the body’s natural defenses,
leading to high inflammation and setting the conditions for disease.
So, how do you reduce AGEs in your food? Researchers recommend cooking slowly with
moist heat at lower temperatures… like boiling or oven baking… and including acidic ingredients
like lemon juice and vinegar where you can. Now, fast food comes under the same umbrella…
Even if your hamburger isn’t deep fried, it’s not an everyday food.
Fast food is saturated with salt… sugar… heavily processed meat… refined carbohydrate…
saturated fat… and chemical filled sauces… Enhancing the flavor and leaving you wanting more…
But also increasing blood pressure and hardening blood vessels…
Spiking blood sugar… Packing on that extra
layer of fat around the abdomen… And pushing up cholesterol levels.
In fact eating just 3 slices of takeaway pepperoni pizza will deliver around 2000 mg of sodium…
Which is near the upper limit that experts recommend IN
AN ENTIRE DAY… Let alone a single meal.
So, if you’re going to indulge… make sure it’s every once in a while… and
not a regular part of your diet. And experiment with adjustments…
Switching deep fried chicken for skinless grilled chicken with spices…
Swapping french fries for an interesting savory salad or baked vegetables…
Or at least adding a decent amount of fresh greens.
Making your meals at home is even better… Saving on a ton of salt,
saturated fat, sugar, and chemical nasties… If you love burgers, why not make your own…
With a lean cut of meat, veggie burger, or portobello mushroom…
And plenty of fresh veggies to add crunch, flavor, and nutrition.
In fact, researchers found that simply adding a slice of avocado
to a meat burger helps to reduce the inflammation symptoms associated with heart disease.
There are so many adjustments to explore… Which are delicious and at the same time
avoid the brain fog, lethargy, and health problems that come with traditional treats.
Now, the next item is particularly insidious… But before we get to it, let’s get you
those free gifts! Discover a world
of diabetes-fighting foods with our new book… “10 incredible foods that reduce blood sugar”.
Plus discover the real reason why * Type 2 diabetes
* Obesity * and heart
disease… are increasing at an alarming rate...
And find out what really works when it comes to preventing these illnesses…
With our free diabetes-fighting documentary - The Scary Truth About Sugar.
Plus get our free recipe book - Amazing Alternatives to Rice, Pasta, and Bread…
These gifts are free and waiting for you… Just click the link in the description box below.
Now… Let’s get back to our list! Number 2. Store-bought frosting,
cookies, and prepared meals It’s the easy solution, yes…
But there’s a trade-off when you buy food that is made to last on supermarket shelves.
And it’s a trade-off that we don’t see until it’s too late.
Processed foods like store bought frosting and prepared foods often contain artificial coloring,
sweeteners, and preservative ingredients… like titanium dioxide and propylene glycol.
Propylene glycol is used as an emulsifier and thickener in food…
And it’s also used on airplanes as an anti-icing agent.
The American Journal of Kidney Disease found that propylene glycol may lead to kidney failure.
Another study, published in the US National Library of Medicine,
concluded that at high levels, propylene glycol can cause lactic acidosis, CNS depression,
coma, hypoglycaemia, and seizures.
Likewise, titanium dioxide is another controversial additive often found in these foods.
While it’s still legal in the US, it was banned by the European Union in February 2022.
This follows a decision by France to ban it in 2020.
Researchers studied titanium dioxide by adding it to the water fed to rats…
and found that rats who received titanium dioxide were more likely to develop clusters
of abnormal glands in the colon and rectum… than rats who received plain drinking water.
The European Food Safety Authority believe that titanium dioxide may be genotoxic… meaning that
it could possibly alter DNA… concluding that they cannot establish a safe level for consumption.
So as you can see, it’s important to understand your food.
While you’re not likely to have serious consequences from the occasional mass-produced
cookie, frosting, or whipped cream in a can… Storing food on a supermarket shelf
isn’t the natural order of things… And foods like these often contain
chemicals that governments and scientists don’t fully understand yet.
On the other hand, melting organic chocolate or making your own frosting is a fairly easy way to
enjoy treats while avoiding the chemicals that we don’t know all that much about.
Likewise, if you find that you can’t be bothered cooking some nights…
you’re far better off batch cooking and freezing a few meals than trusting preservative filled food.
As professor Agnes Oomen says, “if it’s just being used as a colorant, is it really necessary
to have in your food?” Number 1. Energy drinks
While energy drinks may claim to give you extra limbs… they may just lead
to disastrous health problems too. According to the US National Center
for Complementary and Integrative Health, the number of emergency department visits related
to energy drinks DOUBLED between 2007 and 2011. Harvard University released a statement that
the lack of regulation around energy drinks is alarming.
Popular energy drinks contain up to 14 times the amount of caffeine in a can of
cola…levels that are known to cause anxiety, heart problems, and even seizures.
In other studies, researchers found that energy drinks have the potential to induce major cardiac
and blood vessel issues, insulin sensitivity problems, as well as
changes in heart rhythm and blood pressure. Energy drinks are extremely high in sugar
and artificial sugar alternatives, leading to obesity, diabetes, and other disease.
Mixing energy drinks with alcohol is particularly common, and particularly hazardous.
Studies have found that when mixing energy drinks with alcohol, people tend to feel
less drunk than they really are. As a result, they are more susceptible to excessive consumption or
risky behavior like driving while drunk. Another study found serious harm caused
to the brain, liver and kidneys of rabbits… Including hemorrhaging of interstitial tissue,
focal atrophy, and renal vascular congestion… which can lead to heart failure.
While some studies have found short term energy improvements, the research on long
term consequences is overwhelming. These high sugar, high caffeine,
and often chemical filled concoctions are serious trouble for heart health, the liver,
and insulin regulation… and have been identified by study after study.
So there you have it… The 5 worst foods on the planet…
Number 5. Margarine Number 4. Diet Soda
Number 3. Deep fried foods and fast food Number 2. Store bought frosting, cookies,
and prepared meals Number 1. Energy drinks
What do you think? How have you made positive changes in your eating habits?
Let us know in the comments and share them with the Diabetes Talk community.
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