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In reply to the discussion: Processed foods are a much bigger health problem than we thought [View all]Ohiogal
(31,929 posts)Especially....
"Theres also a link between diets heavy in ultraprocessed foods and harmful inflammation when the bodys inflammatory response goes into overdrive, making it harder to fight off viruses and disease. One measure of inflammation is a blood marker called C-reactive protein (CRP). Researchers have found associations between higher levels of CRP and various chronic illnesses, including cancer, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. And people who eat an unhealthy diet tend to have higher levels of CRP in their bodies."
Unfortunately, highly processed foods are for the most part, cheaper and easier to access. The majority of poorer people eat this stuff because either that's all they can afford, or they don't have access to a decent grocery store and have to buy all their food from the Dollar store or convenience stores.
It's indeed a problem. Michelle Obama tried to address this in part with her push for an overhaul on our nation's health and against childhood obesity .... but remember all the ridicule she got from that. And food companies complain they can't survive without putting all this crap in our food...... no wonder our life expectancy in the US is going down.
Great article.