Processed food means food that has been altered from its natural state by the addition of sugars, food dyes, artificial sweeteners, added fats, and corn syrup. In the U.S., processed food was introduced in the late 19th century. Food dye is a color or dye added to food or drinks in processed foods to make it seem more appealing because, psychologically, in the human brain, colors are seen as more addictive and catch our attention. The most popular food dye is Red 40. Added sugars are sugars or syrups added to food and drinks so that they taste sweeter. Examples are corn syrup and brown sugar. Processed foods during puberty can cause hormonal imbalance or stunted growth of hormones and testosterone.
Red 40 is a chemical compound that has a scientific name called Allura Red AC, or E129. Red 40 is the most common food dye that can be found in cereal, food, drinks, and candies. Red 40 was developed in 1971 by the Allied Chemical Corporation, which gave it its name. Red 40’s annual production in 1980 was greater than 2.3 million kilograms. The safety of Red 40 has been severely studied in Europe and America. According to CBS News, “The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is calling on companies to phase out all petroleum-based dyes by the end of next year.” This is an amazing initiative that is taking place to combat Red 40 right now. Red 40 has a lot of negative health effects. According to this website, Red 40 may affect people with ADHD and allergies. It is said that Red 40 may be associated with ADHD and hyperactivity, but some health experts still can’t agree on the symptoms. Another symptom experts say they aren’t sure about is Red 40’s possible link to cancer and other sicknesses.
Added sugars are stuff like corn syrup or brown sugar. These are used as sweeteners in manufacturing to improve taste, texture, and shelf life. You see these in everyday life, like in sodas and sweets. They are also identified in savory stuff like bread, sauces, and yogurt. This contributes to health issues like diabetes and obesity. According to The Nutrition Source, “The average American adult, teenager, and child consumes about 17 teaspoons of added sugar a day, or about 270 calories. [1] While we sometimes add sugar or sweeteners like honey to food or beverages, most added sugar comes from processed and prepared foods. The leading sources of added sugars in the U.S. diet are sugar-sweetened beverages, desserts, and sweet snacks like ice cream, pastries, and cookies. [1] Less obvious yet significant contributors are breakfast cereals and yogurt. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025 advise that all Americans 2 years and older limit added sugars in the diet to less than 10% of total calories. For a 2,000-calorie/day diet, that translates into 200 calories or 50 grams of sugar daily (about 12 teaspoons of sugar).” From the data here, we could see that the average American diet has way too much added sugars that are recommended.
The main effects on hormones during puberty are hormonal imbalance, such as reduced Hgh (growth hormone) or testosterone, making the bones weak. According to Akron’s Children’s Research, “Kids should limit a lot of unnecessary calories that have little to no nutrition. Sweet treats, fried and processed foods can lead to hormonal imbalances, and increase the risk for obesity and diabetes.“That’s not to say kids can’t have junk food, or enjoy a cookie from time to time,” said Dr. Malik. “Balance is about making sure the majority of your child’s diet includes healthy calories with the right amount of nutrition, protein, and high-fiber foods, with a small portion of it goodies.” Dr. Malik also warns against high-calorie beverages, such as soda and Gatorade, as well as energy drinks. They are high in sugar and caffeine with no health benefits. They aren’t good for anybody, but especially growing bodies, she said. Caffeine can reduce the absorption of calcium and cause sleep issues.” So, the effects of processed foods on young teens during puberty are detrimental.
Processed food, which is often seen as snacks or a fine option, is actually slop that has been heavily processed in factories. Food dye, or the most common known one, Red 40, makes this slop look edible. Added sugars like corn syrup and brown sugar are the secret saboteurs to a healthy life, causing diabetes and obesity. So I hope you learned a thing or two about processed foods, and you should think twice before purchasing one of them after learning the effects.
This article was written in partnership with Steppingstone.
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