Unhealthy foods. What you should not eat: the most harmful foods. Rating of harmful products

The food industry has undergone major changes over the past few decades. Healthy, nutritious meals have been replaced by numerous fast foods, and store shelves are replete with processed foods, breakfast cereals, fatty and sweet products. If you have to make a list of absolutely healthy foods, this will cause much more difficulty than naming unhealthy foods. Technology has led to the fact that the most useful product in the “skillful” hands of manufacturers turns into a real poison for the body. Multiple flavoring and color additives, trans fats, salt, sugar, GMOs, and substitutes lead to the possibility that even fruits and vegetables have now become unsafe for health.

This sounds quite scary, and if you have to eliminate absolutely all unhealthy foods from your diet, there is unlikely to be anything left in it. Therefore, it is necessary to minimize the harmful effects of food on our body.

This can be done, first of all, by carefully studying the composition of the product before purchasing it. Now even milk or yogurt can be filled to capacity with preservatives, taste and smell improvers. Stop your choice on those products whose composition is simplest and most concise.

Pass by canned food, semi-finished products, everything marked “Instant preparation” - purees, soups, noodles, water-soluble drinks. All these are products not of the food industry, but of the chemical industry, therefore, the harm to the body will be exorbitant.

1. Trans fats – few food products can do without them. They are also leaders among the causative agents of diseases of the cardiovascular system. Trans fats lead to an abnormal increase in cholesterol levels, which leads to obesity. Many studies on this topic have revealed that their consumption increases the risk of diabetes and breast cancer, and disrupts the hormonal balance in the male body. The European Union has long introduced a law that prohibits the use of trans fats in any quantities. It defines them as “most harmful to human life.”
2. Sweeteners, in particular aspartame. In most European countries, sweeteners are also positioned as harmful and are strictly prohibited for use in the production of products, primarily sweet drinks.

The sugar substitute aspartame has been subjected to multiple tests, which have established that its narcotic effect on the structure of the brain can cause mental illness, decreased intellectual abilities and perception of information, memory problems, and destruction of the liver structure.

1. Genetically modified compositions obtained from genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This is another result of technological progress that has stepped forward. Almost all fast food contains GMOs. Moreover, most often their presence in the composition is not indicated. But in all countries of the world, GMO products are prohibited for children under 12 years of age, pregnant women and patients with imbalanced hormones. Draw your own conclusion.

If you have the opportunity and time, try to prepare some of the dishes yourself. Nowadays it’s not difficult to make yogurt, ice cream, mayonnaise or bake bread at home.

1. Chips and fries.

They deservedly took first place - they are full of dyes, flavoring additives, fats, carbohydrates and there is not even a hint of natural potatoes. Often, chips are made from non-organic potatoes grown with pesticides and other similar chemicals.

1. Sausages and smoked meats.

All these products, including bacon, ham, sausages, sausages, and smoked meats, undergo special processing. This saturates them with nitrates, hormones and additives. Research has shown that the most natural sausage product at first glance consists of: cartilage, meat trimmings, lard and skin, 25-30% transgenic soybeans, food coloring, flavor and odor enhancers, preservatives, and flavorings.

It would be healthier to buy meat and cook the sausage yourself or smoke it at home.

1. Soda.

Here, perhaps, there is only one natural ingredient - water. The rest is all chemicals, additives, dyes and preservatives.

By the way, the zero-calorie carbonated drinks “Light”, beloved by all dieters, contain sweeteners, mainly aspartame. When it breaks down, a whole “bouquet” of chemicals is released - formaldehyde (a class A carcinogen), methanol and phenylalanine (combining with other proteins causes intoxication).

Remember that sweet carbonated drinks consist of sugar, chemical additives and gases, thanks to which harmful substances quickly spread throughout the body.

The consequences of such drinking can be allergies (due to the abundance of coloring agents), slowdown of metabolism, gastritis (bubbles - carbon dioxide, which increases acidity in the stomach).

1. Fast food food.

Dishes from all fast food chain restaurants (McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, etc.) contain a huge list of chemical food additives and carcinogens. This is the subject of the documentary “Super Size Me,” which confirmed that fast foods lead to obesity and diabetes. And scientists at the New York Psychiatric Institute have found that when these foods are abused, the structure of the brain is damaged, nerve tissue is destroyed and inflammatory processes are activated.

Be careful with fast foods - their food causes addiction in a person, similar to a drug.

1. Mayonnaise.

Homemade mayonnaise will not cause any harm if consumed in moderation; store-bought mayonnaise is another matter. In addition to the fact that it is high in calories and harms our figure, it contains a lot of carbohydrates, fats, substitutes, dyes, and flavorings. A complete list of them will also be great.

Along with mayonnaise, ketchups, sauces, dressings, which contain GMOs and other chemicals that are not inferior to mayonnaise, cause no less harm.

1. Lollipops, chewing candies, chocolate bars.

Bright multi-colored chewing lozenges, lollipops, lollipops, all of this is a source of sugar, dyes, substitutes, and chemical additives. Avoid them and don’t forget to tell your children about how harmful this product actually is.

Chocolates and candy bars are now pure calories combined with GMOs, flavors, chemical additives and dyes.

Remember that the maximum daily limit for sugar consumption per day is 50 grams. Anything above this norm increases the risk of diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, cancer, dental problems, and allergic reactions.

1. Popcorn.

Corn, although it is a carbohydrate with a high starch content and has a caloric content of 330 calories per 100 grams, will not cause harm to the body. It contains a lot of fiber, folic acid, vitamins A, C, E, phosphorus, thiamine, niacin, iron, potassium, magnesium, zinc.

But popcorn becomes a real accumulation of harmful additives - salt, butter, sugar, flavorings, caramelizers, flavor enhancers and dyes. Moreover, the amount of salt in a serving of salted popcorn is simply unimaginable. This will give you increased blood pressure and kidney problems. Plus the calorie content is off the charts - 500 kcal in 100 grams of popcorn.

1. Alcoholic drinks.

The negative consequences of excess alcohol consumption for the body are countless - degenerative disorders in the brain, cancer, liver destruction, genetic abnormalities, shortening life by 10-15 years, mental problems and frequent depression. Half of all accidents and a third of suicides occur while intoxicated.

And in minimal doses, alcohol becomes an obstacle to the absorption of vitamins and interferes with the normal functioning of the kidneys and liver. Plus, it is high in calories - 7 kcal per gram (protein has less calories - only 4 kcal!).

One of its main dangers is that it is very difficult to stop in time and not reach the point of dependence.

1. Margarine and refined vegetable oil.

Margarine contains trans acids, which damage the walls of blood vessels and provoke cardiovascular and cancer diseases. In addition, it is extremely high in calories and leads to weight gain.

Refined vegetable oil contains Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids in a ratio of 15:1. The norm is 1:1. This leads to the development of inflammatory processes in the body.

1. Bouillon cubes.

They consist of 50-60% salt, another 30% is occupied by glutamates (flavor enhancers), which belong to the class of carcinogens that provoke cancer. Cubes are prohibited for use by people with kidney, liver and pancreas diseases.

1. Salt.

It is not for nothing that it is popularly called “white death”. Abuse of salt leads to a decrease in blood pressure, shifts in the body's hydrochloric acid balance, and the accumulation of toxins. If you are unable to completely stop yourself from eating it, try to reduce the level of saltiness of your dishes gradually.

1. Everything is refined - flour, sugar, butter.

Bread made from white refined flour is an unhealthy product. The healthiest bread is baked from wholemeal flour and whole grains. Refined sugar, flour and butter undergo processing, during which no biologically active components remain in them. Therefore, their shelf life increases, and their benefits are nullified.

On August 24, 1853, an employee of the restaurant at the Moon's Lake Lodge hotel in the town of Saratoga Springs (New York) - a mestizo Indian named George Crum - by a stroke of luck prepared potato chips. Legend has it that the catering was visited by none other than himself railroad magnate Vanderbilt, and ordered, oddly enough, the most ordinary fried potatoes. However, the spoiled “oligarch” repeatedly returned the food served to the kitchen as not fried enough. Then the cook got angry, cut the potatoes into the thinnest slices, fried them in oil until crunchy and served them that way To the surprise, the client not only did not reject the dish, but was extremely pleased with it. Soon, “Saratoga-style potatoes” were included in the restaurant menu, and then, not without the participation of the same Vanderbilt, they began to be produced in take-out packaging - in bags.

160 years later, the chips have come a long way from their original, ideal recipe. And today they top not only the list of the most desirable delicacies, but also the rating of the most harmful products. The Weekend project decided to remind us which popular dishes doctors consider the most dangerous for our health - and, most importantly, why.

flickr.com/hijchow

1. Chips and fries

A well-known catchphrase is that “everything pleasant in this world is either illegal, immoral, or leads to obesity.” Potatoes fried in oil do not violate the law and moral boundaries, but, representing a heavy dose of starch and fat, it inevitably leads to weight gain if you include such a culinary “delicacy” in the daily menu.

However, excess weight is a mere trifle in the context of other health problems that the presented dishes are fraught with. And the harm caused by modern chips can hardly be attributed to potatoes - after all, today they are prepared from wheat and corn flour and a mixture of starches, including genetically modified soybeans. Add to this all kinds of “flavors” - bacon, sour cream and cheese, red caviar and even (!) “fried potatoes”. Of course, they are all components from the E line - food flavorings and taste enhancers.

In particular, manufacturers especially love E-621, also known as monosodium glutamate. This toxin, acting on the human nervous system, can “make” even the most indecent food tasty and desirable and, moreover, instill a dependence on it akin to a drug.

French fries can also “instill” a need that is quite real and not far-fetched. It is, however, prepared from real potatoes, only “genetically improved” ones - even, smooth, with large tubers, in order to facilitate the cleaning process. After cutting it into slices, it is doused with steam (hence this effect of a crispy crust with a soft core, practically unattainable at home), frozen and sent in this semi-finished form to fast food chains. There, the slices are fried in oil, or rather a mixture of deep-frying oils, which includes a combined “cocktail” of fats, including palm and coconut oil. This mixture costs a lot, but once poured, it can be used for up to 7 days without going rancid. During this time, acrolein, acrylamide, glycidamide are formed in it - fat breakdown products and strong carcinogens, that is, substances that cause the appearance of cancerous tumors. By the way, one serving of French fries, with its comparatively low nutritional value for fast food of 273 kcal per 100 grams (that is, approximately 340-390 kcal per “standard” serving), contains about 30 grams of this “reusable” fat. It would seem, what is 30 grams? To visualize this amount, imagine: one tablespoon contains approximately 15 grams of oil, so it’s as if we are sipping delicious crispy potatoes with a couple of spoons of oil with carcinogens. The average rate of fat consumption per day is 90-100 grams, and they, like other nutrients, are contained in one dosage or another in almost all food products.

Doctors are sounding the alarm - and not because, eating chips and French fries, you will soon not be able to button up your favorite jeans. Increased cholesterol, plaques in blood vessels, atherosclerosis, the risk of heart attacks and strokes, degenerative changes in the liver, deterioration of sexual function in men and, most importantly, the development of cancerous tumors, and not only in the gastrointestinal tract - all these consequences of adherence to fast food have already been observed by scientists in the USA almost 70 years old.

In Russia, the fast food industry flourished a little more than 20 years ago, in the post-perestroika era. Today, both the “shortage” and the “dashing 90s” are already behind us - alas, family holidays are still accompanied by a trip to a fast food restaurant, and an evening relaxation watching a movie involves a bag of chips under your arm.

AFP/Paul J. Richards

2. Burgers and hot dogs

The side effects described above can also be attributed to “quick” sandwiches, but here, in addition to frying in oil, the situation is complicated by the “meat component”. To ensure that there is enough protein for everyone who wants a quick and satisfying snack, cows, pigs and fish are bred on an industrial scale and using industrial methods, using special feed (sometimes with anabolic steroids) for rapid weight gain. By the way, thanks to such meat and fish, which are included in our menu, we become extremely resistant to the action of antibiotics when they are really needed, that is, when we are sick. Against this background, the high calorie content of the dish and the same cholesterol seem like nothing at all.

Further - more, to the very dubious protein they add the ubiquitous soy, glutamate and a whole range of E-components: preservatives (so that the cutlet can retain its presentation for years), stabilizers and synthetic dyes. These additives irritate our digestive system, dull the feeling of fullness, and force us to eat more and more often. The stomach stretches, and without help from “E-shek” it begins to demand that the banquet be continued.

It would seem - a bun, a cutlet, a leaf of lettuce, well, cheese, well, mayonnaise. But, you must admit, a burger made from homemade products is not at all similar in taste to its “restaurant” counterpart. After all, in our kitchen arsenal, fortunately, we do not have the same nutritional additives that are stuffed into minced meat in mass production. And it is they who make us return to the food outlet again and again, suggesting that at home it is not so tasty.

3. Sausage range and canned food

The described “meat nightmares” would also be true for sausages if only natural meat were used in their production. However, it is also worth adding here the dangers of hidden fat - after all, even the most natural sausage product consists mainly of pork skins and lard. Skin, cartilage, offal and meat residues, plus 25-30% transgenic soybeans and, of course, preservatives, stabilizers, thickeners, emulsifiers, antioxidants, food colors, flavors - this is the approximate composition of any sausages, regardless of the variety and brand of the manufacturer.

Canned food is, in fact, a dead product that has retained its relative nutritional suitability solely thanks to the “solution” of “E-shek”, acetic acid, sugar and, of course, a huge amount of salt (with a human need of 6-10 grams of sodium -chlorine per day, only 100 grams of canned food contains an average of 15 grams of salt).

RIA Novosti/Anton Denisov

4. Instant noodles and purees

Beef, chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, plus almost spaghetti with almost a sauce - this is how the producers of miracle food from bags offer royal lunch, dinner and breakfast. And this is exactly the case with “free cheese”. Of course, it would be very convenient to pour boiling water over the contents of a plastic cup for 3-5 minutes - and voila! - get actually Italian pasta, fettuccine or risotto. In fact, we will get a hot (for faster absorption) “mix” of all possible food additives and absolutely zero benefits.

With the systematic use of such “compound feeds” the system in the body collapses - it seemed like he received food and calories, but they contained too few substances that he really needed for normal functioning. Deprived of nutrition, it soon sends SOS signals to the brain, and we again feel like we want to eat.

Here it would be useful to remind you under what codes on the product packaging these or those manufacturers’ assistants are hidden: preservatives(can cause cancer, kidney stones, liver destruction, food allergies, intestinal disorders, oxygen starvation, blood pressure disorders) - E from 200 to 290 and E 1125, stabilizers and thickeners (cancer, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys and liver) - E 249-252, E 400-476, E 575-585 and E 1404-1450, emulsifiers(cancer, stomach upset) - E 322-442, E 470-495, antioxidants(liver and kidney diseases, allergic reactions) - E300-312 and E320-321, food colorings (cancer, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and kidneys, nervous disorders and allergic reactions) - E 100-180, E 579, E 585, flavor enhancers(nervous disorders, brain damage) - E 620-637.

In fairness, it is worth noting: there is a modest list of additives that are considered harmless and even beneficial to health - it can be easily found on the Internet if desired.

These “magic” sauces, which traditionally accompany most fast food dishes, can turn even the healthiest food into poison. Ketchup, in addition to stabilizers, emulsifiers and preservatives, contains chemical dyes and consists of almost a fifth of sugar. Such dressing perfectly hides the natural taste of even the most unappetizing, or even simply spoiled, dishes - it’s not without reason that they say that “with ketchup you can eat everything.”

Mayonnaise is a carrier of so-called trans fats - isomers of fatty acids that can deceive our body by being integrated into cell biomembranes instead of natural omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Transconfigurations lead to oncogenesis, atherosclerosis, increase the risk of developing diabetes mellitus and, to put it mildly, worsen immunity - they interfere with the work of enzymes that guard our body. An additional danger comes from plastic packaging, where mayonnaise is often poured in order to save money - the vinegar contained in the sauce has a superpower to suck out carcinogenic substances from it. Guess where they end up.

6. Chocolate bars, candies and gummies

Without the danger of developing diabetes, oncology, obesity, osteoporosis, dental problems and allergic reactions, a person can eat a maximum of 50 grams of sugar per day. This highest limit of the norm is approximately 10 teaspoons, but do not forget that in addition to the “pure” sugar that we put in tea or coffee, glucose and sucrose await us, say, in the same ketchup. Or in yogurt. You never know where: it’s worth reading the composition of familiar products, the subheading in the “carbohydrates” column - and it will become obvious how much we exceed the norm allowed by WHO (World Health Organization), even without auxiliary materials in the form of chocolates, caramels and cakes (by the way, the latter - another ideal carrier of trans fats, along with mayonnaise).

These products have the highest glycemic indexes, meaning the sugar from them is absorbed almost instantly. However, they do not contain any useful substances - unlike such glycemic leaders as honey and dried fruits. Moreover, bright candies, glazed candies and chewing gummies with all sorts of flavors can hardly be called “food” at all - they are rather a mixture of sweeteners and sweeteners, stabilizers, thickeners and gelling agents, emulsifiers, antioxidants and food colorings.

7. Sweet sodas and juices

Speaking of the daily sugar consumption rate, one liter of cola contains approximately 112 grams of sugar and about 420 calories (despite the fact that the daily consumption rate for most people is 2000-2500 kcal). Let's add to this caffeine, dyes and orthophosphoric acid, which “washes out” calcium from the body, plus carbon dioxide, which allows us to distribute harmful components throughout the body even faster.

Sodas in the “light” version are considered more preferable, as they are not harmful to the figure. However, while zero calories, they contain sweeteners - mainly aspartame, which breaks down into formaldehyde (a class A carcinogen), methanol and phenylalanine (toxic when combined with other proteins).

It is poorly washed off with saliva, irritates the oral mucosa and provokes thirst again and again - in order to get rid of the cloying aftertaste. And the harmlessness to the figure is very doubtful - soda promotes the formation of cellulite, and in the long term for lovers of light drinks it means metabolic disorders.

But if, in general, no one has any illusions with soda, then for some reason, with regard to “boxed” juices, there is a very strong belief not only about their harmlessness, but even about their health benefits. However, with the exception of carbon dioxide, their composition is almost identical to that of sweet sodas. One glass of orange juice from a carton contains approximately six teaspoons of sugar, and one glass of apple juice contains approximately seven. Undoubtedly, apples and oranges themselves contain sugar, but not only that - vitamins and dietary fiber become a pleasant bonus, and glucose is no longer absorbed into the blood with such lightning speed. Packaged juices do not have such advantages - they are reconstituted from concentrate and are enviably durable, they can vary in cost depending on the “promotion” of the brand, but remain just as harmful to health.

8. Popcorn

Corn itself does not pose any health hazard - yes, it is a carbohydrate, yes, it contains starches, and the calorie content for plant foods is considerable - about 330 kcal per 100 grams of product. But it contains fiber and a lot of other useful substances - vitamins A, C, E, thiamine, niacin, folic acid, iron, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc.

In a word, imagine popcorn as just fried corn kernels - it will not be included in the ranking of the most harmful products. But everything changes when they arrive - butter, salt, sugar, caramelizers, dyes, flavor enhancers, flavorings. By the way, the dose of salt in classic salted popcorn is so high that no chips could even dream of it - and this is fraught, at a minimum, with increased blood pressure and impaired kidney function. Well, thanks to various additives, the nutritional value of popcorn increases to an average of 500 kcal per 100 grams.

9. Alcohol

Degenerative disorders in the cerebral cortex, liver destruction, oncology, genetic mutations - it would seem that everyone is well aware of the dangers of alcohol for the human body. People who drink live, on average, 10-15 years less, and the quality of this life is very low - in addition to the above-mentioned health problems, they are plagued by mental disorders and depressive states. 1/3 of all suicides (and, by the way, 50% of accidents) occur while intoxicated.

Even in very small doses, alcohol interferes with the absorption of vitamins. In addition, it is very high in calories in itself - 7 kcal per 1 gram (for comparison, the nutritional value of pure proteins and carbohydrates is 4 kcal per 1 gram). And the main danger is that the border between “use” and addiction is very fragile, it is easy to cross it without even noticing it.

“Light” cakes, curd desserts, yoghurts and mayonnaise only seem to be a friend and assistant to people watching their figure and cholesterol. In fact, the very decrease in fat content in the product is more than compensated by an increase in the proportion of carbohydrates - starches, sugars and sweeteners, the dangers of which we have already discussed.

Thus, a passion for foods in the “light” version actually contributes to obesity - the food additives in them slow down metabolic processes, or even lead to “carbohydrate crashes”, when the body, which is preparing to break down glucose, suddenly discovers that some kind of cyclamate has been slipped into it or aspartame. The psychological aspect also plays an important role here - since the product is “light”, it means that you can eat 2-3 times more of it without remorse (and without feeling full).

Another negative side of the passion for exclusively low-fat products is vitamin deficiency, because some vital vitamins (A, D, E and K) are fat-soluble. Calcium from low-fat dairy products is also not absorbed.

Despite the fact that human life expectancy and the risk of developing certain diseases are directly related to the genetics of a particular individual, nutrition also plays a significant role in these aspects.

Modern man consumes a huge amount of harmful foods, which significantly reduces life expectancy and provokes the development of many serious diseases. The importance of proper nutrition is not at all exaggerated, as proven by hundreds of scientific studies in large clinics and laboratories.

A food system dominated by fast food is fraught with such health consequences that there are separate books devoted to this problem. These are one of the most harmful foods that seriously increase the risk of developing malignant neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract and diseases of the cardiovascular system.

The main harm of fast food is associated with the abundance of oil that is used in its preparation. Moreover, the fast food filling itself is harmful, containing a huge amount of carbohydrates and harmful additives (flavor enhancers, preservatives).

1. Burgers.
2. Hot dogs.
3. Sausages in dough.
4. Shawarma, kebab.

Consequences of frequent consumption of fast food:

• do not cause diabetes, but significantly increase the risk of its development;
• increase the risk of developing cancer (mainly stomach, esophagus, rectum);
• reduce the amount of testosterone;
• myocardial infarction;
• atherosclerosis;
• cardiac ischemia;
• obesity;
• ulcer, gastritis.

Food from bags

The so-called food from bags does not cause serious harm to health when consumed rarely. The situation changes dramatically with constant consumption of such food. Such food does not contain a sufficient amount of useful substances (vitamins, minerals, proteins), so its predominance in the diet contributes to the development of vitamin deficiencies and iron deficiency anemia.

In addition, excess weight is one of the consequences of frequent consumption of packaged foods: due to the large amount of carbohydrates.

The most harmful products from the group:

1. Instant noodles (any brand).
2. Puree filled with water.

• chronic;
• obesity (when consumed in large quantities);
• and ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract;
• chronic constipation;
• with the predominance of packaged food in the daily diet, the development of iron deficiency anemia is possible.

Chips, crackers, snacks, French fries

These are probably one of the most dangerous foods for people of all ages. A huge amount of carbohydrates, fats, flavor enhancers and food E-additives make this food incredibly “heavy” for the digestive system.

The average person should also remember about the process of preparing such food. In most cases, chips and fries are cooked in large batches in oil that does not change during the cooking process. If you really want to: it is recommended to eat such foods no more than 1-2 times a week and without alcohol or carbonated drinks, which only aggravate the general harm of such foods (due to the huge amount of carbohydrates).

Consequences of frequent consumption of this food:

• gastrointestinal ulcers and gastritis;
• chronic heartburn;
• proctological diseases (hemorrhoids, anal fissures, proctitis);
• obesity;
• a significant increase in the risk of developing cancer of the stomach, esophagus and rectum;
• increased risk of developing acute pancreatitis;
• chronic constipation or diarrhea.

Sausages

Sausages are one of the most popular foods around the world. Meanwhile, these are also one of the most condemned foods by doctors, and with good reason.

The fact is that sausages are not an analogue of “pure meat,” although many ordinary people mistakenly believe that this is so. And the point here is not the composition of the sausages itself, although this raises many questions, but the quality of the food itself and its effect on the human body.

For example, frequent consumption of poor quality sausage can provoke the development of chronic diarrhea and even stomach cancer (and not only). WHO recommends consuming no more than 50 grams of sausages per day.

The most harmful products from the group:

1. Any sausages.
2. Raw smoked and liver sausage.
3. Cooked-smoked sausages.

• chronic diarrhea or, less commonly, constipation;
• heartburn, gastrointestinal ulcers, gastritis;
• a significant increase in the risk of developing stomach and esophageal cancer;
• haemorrhoids.

Canned food

Canned food places a heavy burden on the gastrointestinal system, being one of the most common causes of acute diarrhea. It should also be taken into account that during the production process, canned food loses most of its nutrients (including vitamins), so it is impossible to replace a varied diet with such food.

Also, canned food (mainly home-made) is one of the most common causes of acute poisoning (including fatal ones).

The most harmful products from the group:

1. Canned meat and fish and preserves.
2. Pates.
3. Sausage mince and offal mince.

Consequences of irrational eating:

• inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• chronic heartburn;
• constipation and hemorrhoids;
• increased risk of developing acute pancreatitis.

Sugar, chocolate, and other sweets

There is an opinion that sweets are only harmful to children. In fact, this is a myth, and regular consumption of sweets in large quantities is equally harmful to adults. Frequent consumption of sweets significantly increases the risk of developing diabetes, although they themselves are not the cause of the development of this disease.

In addition, many preservatives, flavor enhancers and sometimes dyes are added to sweets, which can cause the development of allergic reactions. It should also be taken into account that sweets are very high in calories and their constant consumption is fraught with obesity.

The most harmful products from the group:

1. Chewing gum.
2. Lollipops.
3. Chocolate (in any form).
4. Ice cream.

Consequences of irrational eating:

• high risk of developing diabetes mellitus;
• obesity;
• allergic reactions (especially in children);
• dermatological diseases (skin problems).

Ketchup and mayonnaise

Ketchup and mayonnaise are not independent food products. If used frequently, this addition to main dishes is very harmful to the human body. In the CIS countries, the peak incidence of acute pancreatitis (and exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis) falls on the New Year holidays, which is associated not only with the consumption of alcohol, but also with traditional dishes that contain a lot of mayonnaise.

When talking about the dangers of ketchup and mayonnaise, you need to take into account that we are talking about both store-bought and homemade products. The homemade version differs only in that it rarely uses flavor enhancers and flavorings.

Consequences of irrational eating:

• chronic heartburn;
• gastritis and gastrointestinal ulcers;
• flatulence;
• hemorrhoids, proctitis;
• increased risk of developing cancer of the stomach, tongue and esophagus.

Juices, iced tea, carbonated drinks

These drinks are harmful primarily because if they are consumed simultaneously with solid food, fermentation in the stomach is possible. This does not lead to serious health consequences, but it creates significant discomfort for the patient, since during fermentation in the gastrointestinal tract, flatulence, diarrhea and nausea develop.

In addition, such drinks increase appetite, literally “spurring” a person to eat large amounts of food, which, as is known, is fraught with obesity.

Consequences of irrational eating:

• flatulence;
• diarrhea or constipation;
• increased risk of developing diabetes;
• chronic heartburn.

Top 10 unhealthy foods (video)

Alcohol

Alcohol is undoubtedly one of the worst enemies of humanity. Annually from alcohol consumption hundreds of thousands of people die. Alcoholic drinks disrupt the functioning of almost all human organs, are the cause of the development of some types of cancer and a predisposing factor for the development of other types of cancer.

Absolutely all alcoholic drinks are harmful, although to varying degrees. Any alcohol (with regular, frequent consumption) is the main cause of acute pancreatitis and liver cirrhosis.

The most harmful products from the group:

1. Homemade alcohol (primarily moonshine).
2. Vodka, cognac.
3. Beer (if consumed more than a liter per week).
4. Alcoholic cocktails.

Consequences of irrational eating:

• a significant increase in the risk of developing cancer of the stomach, esophagus, liver and intestines;
• acute pancreatitis;
• blockage of blood vessels (thrombosis);
• chronic heartburn;
• ulcers and erosions of the stomach, gastritis;
• myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease;
• decreased mental abilities;
• impotence and disorders of the reproductive system in both sexes;
• inflammatory kidney diseases.

A balanced diet is the basis of our overall health and well-being. The human body is so strong that it is able, without outside help, to withstand harmful products or, simply, real poisons that enter our body with food, drinking water and air.

However, in the age of high technology, the production of genetically modified food products, which contain all sorts of harmful components, has become widely used. When there are too many of these poisons in the body, the body is unable to resist them.

Our main task is to help the body fight against poisons. To do this, it is necessary, ideally, to avoid eating foods that poison our body or to minimally limit their consumption.

Nowadays it is almost impossible to purchase products that would not be at all harmful to a person’s figure and health. It is difficult for us to give up junk food, but it must be done!

Why do people eat junk food?

Most of the unhealthy nutrients found in food are persistently addictive.

The most “popular” is monosodium glutamate (E-621) - the most powerful flavor enhancer.

• chips;
• sausages;
• canned products;
• sweet soda;
• semi-finished meat products;
• fast food products; ketchup;
• mayonnaise;
• instant soups and cereals.

It can seriously harm the human body and health, and is especially dangerous for fragile children’s bodies. Toxins, which are present in large quantities in monosodium glutamate, cause serious allergic mutations in the body and disrupt the functioning of the optic nerve and brain.

An equally harmful toxic poison that poisons the body and causes long-term addiction is aspartame (E-951) - a kind of sugar substitute. This poison can cause a whole chain of diseases, the most dangerous of which are Alzheimer's disease, as well as infertility in women and men.

• soda;
• sweet caramel;
• chewing gum;
• ice cream;
• yoghurts;
• alcohol;
• flour pastry;
• crackers;
• various sweets, etc.

Consequently, with the daily consumption of products containing dangerous toxic food additives, we cause significant harm to our health, and biostimulants make our body hostage based on the principle of addiction.

The most harmful foods for human health. We look and remember the TOP-30 list:

A variety of sweets (caramel, marmalade). Chewing gum.

Semi-finished meat products (minced meat, frozen semi-finished meat products). Sausages (different smoked and others). Meat products (sausages, sausages).

Smoked meat and fish, including canned food.

Yogurt, food starters.

Chips, French fries, fast food products (harburger, cheeseburger and others).

Ice cream, sweet dairy desserts.

Carbonated drinks (Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Sprite), energy drinks.

Sauces, mayonnaise, ketchup.

A variety of side dishes and instant soups (noodles, puree).

1. Chocolate spread, bars and chocolate (any except extra dark).

   Canned food (meat, fish, pates, canned ham).

   Canned fruits and vegetables (lecho, pickles, tomatoes, caviar, compotes, jam, preserves).

   Margarine, refined vegetable oil.

   Canned juice.

   Bouillon cubes, ready-made concentrates.

   Alcohol.

   Ready-made breakfast cereals.

   Cheese, low quality dairy products.

   Butter with a fat content below 82%.

   Fatty pork.

   Chicken legs.

   Baking (white bread, buns).

   Polished rice.

   Vinegar, marinades.

   Nuts, seeds from bags.

   Vegetables and fruits are out of season (early grown in greenhouses).

Over the past thirty years, the number of obese people has doubled. According to WHO statistics, 1.9 billion adults and 41 million children under 5 years of age are overweight. Scientists predict that by 2025 the number of obese people on the planet will be 40–50%.

Excess weight spoils your appearance, worsens your quality of life, and increases the risk of premature death. The main cause of obesity is junk food - drinks and products containing carcinogens, preservatives, artificial colors and flavors. Foods that increase the level of “bad” cholesterol in the blood and cause allergic reactions are considered hazardous to health.

The list of the most harmful foods, including for vegetarians, includes:

• fried potatoes and chips;
• ketchup;
• canned food;
• candies;
• corn sticks;
• margarine;
• popcorn;
• instant food products;
• sugar;
• salt.

Some of these foods should be completely excluded from your diet. Candy, ketchup and popcorn can be eaten as long as they are prepared at home without harmful additives. It is advisable to simply reduce salt consumption.

Harmful without any reservations

Potato tubers contain organic acids and nutrients, potassium, phosphorus, vitamins A, C, and B. And yet, nutrition experts recommend reducing (not completely abandoning!) the consumption of this vegetable, as it is rich in starch. Fried potatoes - fries and chips - are especially harmful.

Starch and fats clog blood vessels, causing the development of atherosclerosis.

Store-bought chips contain MSG and chemical flavoring additives. In fast food establishments, vegetable oil is used repeatedly for deep frying, which contributes to the accumulation of carcinogens. Scientists have found that frying carbohydrate foods at high temperatures leads to the formation of acrylamide, a toxic substance that causes cancer.

Naturally, the list of harmful products includes canned food - shelf-stable products that have wasted most of the vitamins during heat treatment. Sterilization for 70–95 minutes kills pathogenic microflora, but, as practice shows, not always completely. Bloated canned food contains botulinum bacilli - microbes that can develop without access to oxygen. Once in the body, the contaminated product causes a severe infectious disease that affects the nervous system.

Corn sticks, beloved by many children, can also be classified as harmful. Airy, crispy snacks are made from refined flour, which means it is low in vitamins. But even the miraculously preserved remains of useful substances are destroyed during heat treatment. The result is a food product that is poor in micro- and macroelements, seasoned with sweeteners and flavors. At the same time, corn sticks are ahead of popcorn in terms of carbohydrate content. They cause increased gas formation, interfere with the work of enzymes, and slow down the movement of food through the intestines.

Invented 1.5 centuries ago, a butter substitute, margarine, consists of vegetable fats (80%) and water. Its remaining ingredients are corn syrup, stabilizers, emulsifiers, flavor modifiers and colors. In order for the emulsion of water and vegetable oil to become a solid product, the fatty acid structure undergoes hydrogenation.

As a result, trans fats appear in the product - toxic substances that our body is unable to process.

Australian scientists have proven that consuming margarine negatively affects the intelligence of children. Unhealthy nutrition leads to cardiovascular diseases, oncology, and diabetes. It is noteworthy that in Russia only 7% of the population buys margarine. The main consumers of ersatz butter are producers of ice cream, bakery products and confectioners.

The most harmful food products are instant products obtained by sublimation and dehydration. These include: snacks, breakfast cereals, soups and noodles in briquettes, bouillon cubes, powdered mashed potatoes, packaged cereals. All instant products retain their taste for a long shelf life. However, they contain neither vitamins nor fiber. But there is monosodium glutamate, which causes food addiction in humans.

Harmful, but there are useful analogues

Factory-made sweets pose a health hazard: chewing candies, lollipops, and candy bars. These are the most harmful foods for your figure, as they contain high doses of sugar. The sweets contain trans fats and chemical additives. Lollipops and “toffees” damage tooth enamel. Chocolate bars lead to psychological addiction to sweets and obesity. The dyes used to glaze dragees cause neuroses in children, anxiety, and increased excitability.

Undoubtedly, store-bought ketchup is a junk food. Even high-quality tomato concentrate is contraindicated for people with digestive tract problems, as it causes heartburn and aggravates gastritis. The additives and spices contained in ketchup are hazardous to your health. They can provoke allergy attacks. French scientists have found that consuming ketchup leads to disturbances in spermatogenesis in men. Cheap concentrates contain bright colors, modified starch and a high dose of sugar.

Popcorn can be classified as both healthy and harmful products. On the one hand, puffed corn is rich in fiber and proteins, B vitamins. It is low in calories, contains polyphenols, cleanses the intestines, and removes carcinogens. On the other hand, cinemas and stores sell popcorn with flavoring additives that provoke gastritis. A snack topped with caramel is high in calories. Salted maize disrupts the water balance in the body. The most unhealthy food is buttered popcorn. During its preparation, unscrupulous manufacturers add diacetyl to give the corn a sweet aroma.

The dangers of salt and sugar have been talked about for a long time. Excessive consumption of simple carbohydrates disrupts metabolism, reduces immunity seventeen times, and causes premature aging of the skin.

The absorption of refined sugar requires enormous amounts of calcium, which contributes to the development of osteoporosis. “Sweet poison” creates a feeling of false hunger and is addictive.

Salt tends to accumulate in the body, which causes fluid stagnation in the tissues, problems with joints and bones, kidneys, heart, and blood movement through the vessels. In some cases, salt-free nutrition can help get rid of edema.

What products can replace junk food? Here is a list of useful analogues:

• homemade sweets made from dried fruits and nuts;
• sauces made from fresh tomatoes with paprika, basil, garlic and onions;
• honey, dried and fresh fruits instead of sugar;
• pure homemade popcorn without oil or flavorings;
• garlic, onion, parsley, dill, seaweed instead of salt;
• Foods such as spinach, celery, carrots, beets, cucumbers, and oat grains are rich in sodium.

However, it is important to observe moderation here too. Thus, the daily honey consumption rate for an adult is up to 50 ml. Bee products should not be given to children under 2 years of age. In addition, it is harmful to heat honey to a temperature above 40 degrees or put it in boiling water.

20 g of nuts per day is a healthy snack that replenishes the body's energy reserves. At the same time, you should not overuse hazelnuts, cashews or pistachios, as they contain a lot of fatty acids. The maximum daily dose of nuts for women is 50–70 g, for men – 100–150 g.

Dried fruits are also high in calories. Without compromising your slim figure, you can eat up to 75 g of raisins, 100 g of prunes or 300 g of dried apricots daily. The norm for dates is 18 pieces, figs - 20, apricots - 30 per day.

Drinks you should avoid

The most beneficial liquid for humans is, without a doubt, clean water. This is what you need to drink in large quantities between meals. If there is a shortage of any salts, you can drink natural mineral water without gas.

Green and black teas contain caffeine, theobromine and theophylline. These substances actively affect the nervous and cardiovascular systems.

The list of the most harmful food products complements the list of drinks in the best possible way. Among them:

• alcohol. This is the cause of illness and personality destruction. In fact, it is a drug, therefore it causes rapid addiction, which can later be difficult to get rid of;
• sparkling water. Contains carbonic acid, which destroys tooth enamel and irritates the intestinal mucosa. Soda with sugar (lemonade, Coca-Cola, Pepsi) contributes to obesity;
• coffee. Causes addiction, washes away and makes it difficult to absorb microelements. Negatively affects the nervous and cardiac systems. Excessive consumption of caffeinated drinks (more than 5 cups per day) leads to dehydration;
• juices Stimulate the secretion of gastric secretions, causing heartburn. May cause allergies and diabetes;
• energy. They combine all the disadvantages of the drinks listed above. They contain carbon dioxide, alcohol, caffeine, alkaloids, taurine, mate, ginseng, and guarana extracts. Energy drinks have a stimulating effect, thereby disrupting the body’s natural biorhythms.

A unhealthy diet causes irreparable damage to health, so the most logical solution would be to avoid drinks containing sugar, psychostimulants, alcohol and carbon dioxide. Instead of juices, it is better to eat fresh fruits and vegetables. They contain more mineral salts, vitamins, fiber and less sugars.

Proper and healthy nutrition is the key to a happy life, beautiful appearance and energy.