How do additives and preservatives in processed foods affect the brain?

Answer 1

Yes and it affects your whole body. Junk food is high in salt, sugar and other ingredients that the body doesn't need. Without the proper foods the brain and body doesn't work correctly.

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Define Junk Food. Many people in the West consider Chinese take-out to be junk-food yet the majority of centenarians (I hope I've spelt that right) come from Eastern Asia.

Junk food also contains vital fatty acids and proteins that the average person may not otherwise get. If eaten in moderation then junk foods can be a valuable addition to a person's diet.

Answer 2

All the natural fiber, such as grain peels, have been removed in the refining stages. Because of this the diet is poor in fiber, digestion is slow and the waste materials stay in the body longer. This sets up the perfect condition for toxic materials to form. Also, processed foods can contain huge amounts of chemicals and toxins which were added in the processing. We are eating lots of chemicals like coloring agents, artificial flavors and preservatives that can make the food appear more attractive and taste fresher. Even non-processed foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, whole grains and meats often contain chemical residues from pesticides, herbicides, hormones and other products used to make them grow. All of these substances reduce the amount of Vitamin E available for biochemical and physiological processes. Why is the food processed? Preservatives are used to increase the life of foods by controlling the growth of undesirable molds, yeast, and bacteria in food which might otherwise cause spoilage and subsequently illnesses. Most food is processed and packed to stop it going bad. Most food contains microbes which are harmless little creatures in small amounts. But, they can multiply rapidly if environmental conditions are right. They eat the food by breaking it down, which causes it to taste and smell bad. The microbes are dangerous in large quantities because their waste products are poisonous. Preserving either kills or slows the growth of these microbes. Here are some methods of preserving:

Drying Drying is an ancient way of preserving foods. Dried food is hard on the outside so microbes find it hard to penetrate. Drying does destroy most of the vitamins, but can lead to a higher taste concentration. Salting, Pickling & Smoking These are also the traditional ways used all over the world to preserve food. Meat is covered in salt then hung to dry. This is called curing. The salt draws a lot of the moisture out of the meat and also protects against microbes. Sugar is used to preserve fruits. Thus, we have jam and sweet pickles. The sugar stops the microbes left after the preserve is boiled from growing. Vinegar is used to pickle vegetables. The vinegar retards microbe growth because it is so acidic and stops exposure to oxygen, which the microbes need to survive. Smoking involves hanging meat over wood fires and allowing the hot smoke to cure the meat. This also gives it a distinctive flavor. Most of the "smoked" products on the market today, however, have actually just had the "smokey" flavors added to them. Modern Methods

Various methods of food preservation, such as drying, smoking, pickling, curing and sugaring have been used over the years to preserve food and prevent wastage. More recently, these procedures have been replaced by other methods of preservation such as pasteurization, sterilization, irradiation, freezing, canning and the use of other chemical preservatives. Freezing: Microbes multiply in warm environments. Freezing renders most of the microbes inactive. Refrigeration slows the growth of some microbes. Before food is frozen, it is plunged into boiling water to kill off as many microbes as possible so the food can keep longer.

Canning

Canning is a common way to preserve food. First it is heated through to destroy any microbes. Then it is sealed in air tight cans usually lined with tin. Although some foods loose their nutrients, heating activates some (especially tinned tomatoes). Never leave unused foods in cans as they can become contaminated with metals as food/metal oxides combine. This is not a problem when you put the remaining contents into an air tight, non-metal container. You should never buy dented cans because bacteria might be able to get in. And don't buy bulging cans because microbes have already gotten in. Irradation: This is a highly controversial method of preserving foods. We have an article on this. Irridation Pasteurization

This is the process of heating a liquid, particularly milk, in order to destroy harmful bacteria without changing the composition, flavor, or nutritive value of the liquid. French chemist Louis Pasteur devised the process in 1865. Milk is pasteurized by heating at a temperature of 63° C (145° F) for 30 minutes, rapidly cooling it, and then storing it at a temperature below 10° C (50° F). Sterilization

The time and temperature required for the sterilization of foods are influenced by several factors, including the type of microorganisms found on the food, the size of the container, the acidity or pH of the food, and the method of heating

Answer 3

common to public misconception junk food is not as harmful as the deceitful, corrupt media and bribed liberal doctors and politicians would have you believe. I eat a lot of junk food and i am renowned in my class for being an intelligent and capable person. Also junk food is also commonly believed by the ignorant masses to always make you fat. It turns out I'm underweight or at least close to it. Don't be deceived by the media or by incredibly stupid, bribed doctors and by politicians who are trying to take away your rights. Yes junk food can be unhealthy but use moderation not this stupid zealotry. They are trying to teach you.

Answer 4

A simple answer is that you get in a better mood and you feel less depressed and anxious by eating healthier foods. It also helps the brain to function properly by improving your memory and make you just..feel better.

Answer 5

Good nutrition is vital for proper brain development and maintenance. Eating junk food that doesn't provide vitamins and minerals will not support optimal function potentially leading to retardness and neural diseases in the long term.

Answer 6

Food prevents your body from deteriorating, it also effects mood and behaviors when deprived of certain substances.