Bacon cheeseburgers and French fries drip with weight gain, increased cholesterol levels, and higher blood pressure. But what if further research findings made these foods look safe?
In some way or other, a large part of the American diet proves unhealthy and even harmful. Conscientious meal planning becomes more and more needed and desired. For one, many foods contain high levels of fat and sugar. The fact that these foods monopolize the fast-food options needed in a quick-pace society exasperates this problem further. Secondly, modern food-processing methods rob essential nutrients from once healthy foods. Thirdly, with pesticide remnants and artificial flavors and colorings, chemicals prove to be just another ingredient in the recipe. Unfortunately though, the danger does not stop here. Other, even more alarming, food contents insidiously permeate meals every day. With a large percentage of America remaining uninformed, food itself has stolen control of people’s own bodies. Poison may actually be included on the menu too….
With its lively bubbles, sparkling texture, dancing foam, and energy boosts, soft drinks function as a household staple for a majority of society. Dinner, lunch, even breakfast, America warmly welcomes soda, fruit juices, and flavored waters into its glasses. However, these pleasing beverages do not come cheap. Weight gain from frequent consumption of high calorie drinks proves too common, and these beverages largely contribute to the country’s ever-rising obesity rates. But researchers have found something even more disturbing. Along with high sugar levels, artificial flavorings, and calcium-reducing fizz, some soft drinks even contain the highly toxic substance benzene – sometimes at alarming levels. Could a bottle of good old fashioned soda pop be nothing more than a sizzling industrial plant?
How Did Benzene Get in a Mere Soda Can? Cars release benzene with their fumes. Above gas stations benzene invisibly lingers in a thick, intractable haze. Factories release benzene in their production of some plastics, chemicals, dyes, and detergents. A pollutant and a toxin, it is not surprising that benzene causes cancer. The air of such work establishments has reportedly infected employees. With such characteristics, benzene is definitely not a substance that one would expect to find in a grocery aisle. So, how did it get there?
Many soft drinks contain benzoate salts and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C). Both these substances are naturally a part of fruit-based drinks. A high percentage of other sodas use them as preservative agents or as nutritional additions. However, when benzoate salts and Vitamin C come in contact with high levels of light and/or heat, there is a strong chance that a chemical reaction will occur. Benzene is the product of this process.
Is Benzene Contamination Preventable? There is no way to ensure that soft drinks remain benzene-free. But what if someone only drinks those that he/she purchases? What if people only store beverages in cool and shaded areas? It does not matter. No one can be sure of conditions in every storage warehouse or every transported shipment. Once created, benzene permanently remains. Even the most impeccable treatment and care cannot erase existing damage.
While the presence of any amount of benzene is unsettling, the FDA determined that levels must not exceed 5 ppb in order to pose a threat. Nonetheless, thousands of bottles and cans are never untested. No one can be sure of the history of his/her individual drink before purchase. Scientists cannot be certain how benzene levels will affect each specific person. What if some people are more sensitive than others? Will research find that lower benzene levels are actually harmful tomorrow? Under the circumstances facts can easily change, and “assurances" leave questions unanswered.
In 1990 soft drink companies altered production methods in hopes of preventing benzene development. Nevertheless, from 2005 to 2006 the FDA found benzene amounts well above 5 ppb in some products. Furthermore, the experiment proved highly inadequate. Covering only a small percentage of the country, the study also did not include all products or brands. What if benzene levels are actually far greater? Could these findings only be a glimpse of a terrible reality? .
Are there any preventive strategies? No longer just unhealthy, some foods may actually contain toxic elements. People can maintain healthy diets with foods low in fat, sugar and salt and high in fiber. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meat are some excellent examples. Foods without artificial sugars, dyes, and preservatives lower chances of unwanted chemicals. However, while healthy and natural foods prove best, people are not always given a choice to decide. The FDA only recently confirmed that benzene still appeared in some soft drinks. Could harmful substances be contaminating other foods? How can a person defend him/herself from unknown threats?
Doctors and trained dieticians can not only spotlight the safest foods, but they can also provide a personalized supplement program. Possessing the ability to fill in missing nutritional gaps, vitamins and herbs also have the capability of protecting the body from many environmental stresses and food impurities. The strengthening of the immune system and the cleansing of the liver are two key tactics. However, while vitamins may be natural, they are still powerful. The inappropriate use of some vitamins can actually weaken the immune system and destroy the liver. But with the proper instruction from a trained professional, people can repair dietary deficiencies, buttress the body from inescapable harm, and help build an even healthier life than thought possible.
It is also advisable for a trained professional to recommend the best brands. Labels can not always be trusted. Some vitamin manufacturers overly dilute their products with buffers and other use less fillers. Nonetheless, after proper instruction, consumers can easily find affordable high quality discount vitamins from excellent retailers.
People can easily eliminate possible benzene levels by avoiding soft drink products. Unfortunately, safeguarding the body from other unknown chemical toxins is not so easy. Apparently, everything in food is not always edible. Nevertheless, an individualized diet plan under the guidance of a trained professional can easily ensure health and prevent problems. Wholesome and natural foods and discount vitamins greatly prepare for the unknown.
By VitaNet® Health Foods at http://vitanetonline.com/ who sells quality vitamins and herbs with a wide selection of discount vitamins: http://vitanetonline.com/ that are in stock and ready to ship. Please link to this site when using article.
Antioxidants are believed to help protect us against both cancer and heart disease. Studies have shown that there is a significant positive association between a higher intake of fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants, and reduced risk of chronic disease.
While dark chocolate, blueberries, and red wine get ample public attention, some independent food study shows that other foods, as well as coffee, could pack an even healthier punch. Maybe that is why the soft drink companies are adding antioxidants to their soda line, for they are just jumping on the antioxidant band wagon.
First off, antioxidants are a group of organic compounds that include vitamins A, C and E, for many natural foods derive their colors from the presence of these substances. Antioxidants are helpful because they neutralize oxidizing free-radical molecules that are normally absorbed through foods but could be carcinogenic over time.
Maybe the soft drink companies believe fortifying products with ingredients containing high levels of antioxidants helps give customers the tools necessary to maintain a healthful antioxidant status, which in turn could mitigate the risk of developing chronic diseases.
There are some negative effects of added antioxidants that consumers should remember. First, the "free radicals" that antioxidants act against perform a dual biological function. Free radicals are produced continuously in all cells as part of their normal functioning. In moderate concentrations, they are essential mediators of reactions by which our bodies eliminate unwanted cells. By eliminating free radicals from our body, we interfere with important defensive mechanisms for eliminating damaged cells, including cancerous cells. So antioxidant substances can also harm people. Whereas our diets typically contain safe levels, highly concentrated antioxidant supplements can be hazardous.
As us consumers are increasingly becoming more interested in drinks that offer health benefits above and beyond that for which they were initially intended? Keep in mind, just as long as these products provide added fortification in a natural way. Consider a variety of common foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and herbs, are naturally rich, not only in vitamins and minerals, or plant-derived chemicals that have inherent antioxidant protective properties that help fight against disease before you reach for that antioxidant enriched soda or soft drink.
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Andrew Van Vooren has sinced written about articles on various topics from Food and Drink, Dieting and Disease & illness. About Author:Andrew is a father and author of numerous articles on childcare, natural health, parenting and pregnancy. He firmly believes in all natural remedies like