Rewinding all of the way back to the late 1700’s during the Napoleonic wars, the beginning of processed foods was created all thanks to Napoleon himself. While his army continuously kept defeating their enemies and taking over new lands, they kept coming up short with food and were in desperate need of someone figuring out how to preserve food. Nicolas Appert, a baker, brewer and candy maker decided to take up on the challenge and figure out how to preserve food. Fourteen years later, and he figured out how to seal foods in air tight spaces. After Appert figured out the science behind the sealed packages, an Englishman named Peter Durand improved the packaging by inventing the can, which was more durable for transporting. Then after Durand enhanced the durability of the packaging, William Underwood brought the idea to America and started the Underwood canning business, now known as the oldest canning company in the states. Finally, almost a century and a half after Appert invented the first packaging system, Clarence Birdseye took it to the next level and created the freezing method (National Food Processors Association). To this day, most packaged foods are still processed the same way, however, there are artificial and unhealthy ingredients added to most processed foods to help them last even longer. Fast food companies are also huge culprits for adding unhealthy and possibly dangerous ingredients that can lead to many health issues in people. Unfortunately, many people cannot afford fresh ingredients to make their diets healthy or only have time to get processed foods, but the health risks keep increasing. With the use of statistical evidence, there is proof to show readers not only how severe health issues such as diabetes, obesity and cancer can affect people who consume processed foods, but how it can affect their own health insurance as well. 

Although most people immediately think of processed foods as things such as fast food, sodas, candy, and chips, they are not entirely correct. Processed foods is the procedure of how most foods are packaged and changed from their original state. The least unhealthy examples of processed foods you will find are bagged greens, nuts, and cut vegetables. Items that are slightly more processed include canned and frozen fruits and vegetables, and canned tuna because these need more procedures to insure their freshness over time. Processed foods are also packaged with ingredients such as spices, sweeteners, oils, colors and preservatives to enhance their flavors and make sure that they look attractive to eat and do not go bad too fast. Foods that are worse to eat include crackers, granola and deli meats because they are made with so many extra ingredients. One of the worst foods to eat are often pre-made meals such as frozen pizzas and microwaveable dinners (Eat Right). Even though not all processed foods are harmful for one to eat, there are still those that have additives and preservatives to make them look more appealing and taste better.

Since a large amount of processed foods are not entirely unhealthy for you, it is okay to still eat them. However, for those foods such as frozen pre-made meals everyone loves to eat, there are a vast amount of unnatural and unhealthy ingredients injected into them. A few main ingredients that are common in most processed foods include sugars, sodium, and fats (Eat Right). Added sugars are also referred to as “empty calories” which means that they do not feed the body any minerals, fiber, vitamins, and other nutrients. Consuming too many empty calories have also shown signs of higher heart disease risks due to the research shown that it causes high blood pressure and the liver also pumps harmful fats into the blood system as well. Some of America’s highest sweetened beverages are sodas, energy drinks, and sports drinks and foods such as cookies, cakes, and other pastries. These sweet treats are also a huge factor that lead to weight gain and cavities (Corliss). Another of the common ingredients found in processed foods is sodium. Sodium is another main ingredient that can lead to heart disease and stroke if consumed too frequently. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “More than 75% of the sodium Americans consume comes from processed and restaurant foods- not the salt shaker” (Health Facts). Fats are also a common ingredient in every processed food. These fats are seen in every food including fresh natural ingredients, however there is a much lower amount of fat in them that will hardly cause any damage. Trans fats are considered to be worse than saturated fats because they increase the bad LDL cholesterol and decrease the good HDL cholesterol in the body. Trans fats are also seen to be twice as harmful as saturated fats and cause approximately 30,000 to 100,000 heart disease deaths every year (Readers Digest). A few examples of popular foods that are high in fats include pizza, cheese and dairy products. Just because other natural foods have saturated fats, does not mean that they need to be completely eliminated from the diet because they are important to have as well (Top Food Sources). 

One of the most common health issues that Americans have is diabetes. Diabetes is not formed simply from consumption of processed foods, however there are signs that many diagnosis can be caused from these foods. The two different forms of diabetes include Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed during the ages of infancy to the late thirties, 

however it can be found at any age. Type 1 is considered a genetic malfunction and is not caused from eating unhealthy or not staying active enough. This autoimmune disease causes the body to attack the pancreas and kills the insulin-producing beta cells. Although no one has been able to understand why the body does this, it will continue killing those cells until the body can no longer produce insulin. Since people with type 1 do not have insulin in their bodies, they must constantly inject themselves with insulin shots. Those with type 2 on the other hand are not usually diagnosed until after their thirties, and it is not genetic related. Type 2 is almost the opposite of type 1 because instead of lacking insulin and killing those beta cells, it resists the insulin cells.  Since the body does not want to keep take the beta cells, it continues to produce more insulin, but it doesn’t always produce enough. Too much stress on these cells destroy them, which in the end leads to not enough insulin in the body (Edelman). Since type 2 is not a genetic disease, there were signs that it was formed through one’s lifestyle. Because processed foods are meant to last longer, one thing found that could lead to diabetes are Advanced Glycation Endproducts, more known as AGEs. AGEs are toxic compounds that help give foods their flavor, appearance and smell we all crave when we see those certain favorite processed foods such as fried chicken, pizza, cookies and soda. When these foods are cooked through heat processes like frying, roasting, baking and grilling, more AGEs are produced rather than through processes like steaming and boiling. It is shown that AGEs can reduce insulin levels and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes (Schidt). Sugars are also shown to increase blood pressure, but scientists still have yet to confirm if this causes diabetes or prediabetics Overall, processed foods have shown to be a part of type 2 diabetes.

Another major health factor that is affecting many Americans is obesity and weight gain. What’s the problem? It’s a mixture of bigger portions, availability and higher calorie foods. Since the 1950s, fast food meals now offer different size combos instead of just one size. In one of Harvard’s Health Publication articles, “Why People Become Overweight” there is an example that shows how portion sizes have dramatically increased. It is stated that, “A typical serving of French fries from McDonald’s contains three times more calories than when the franchise began. A single “super sized” meal may contain 1,500-2,000 calories- all the calories that most people need for an entire day.” Even if people are already full, most will continue to eat what is in front of them. Although fast food restaurants are not the only places serving processed foods, it is one of the bigger reasons why people can gain weight and even become obese. Fast food places are just about on every corner you turn, so it entices people to eat more junk food. Not only is fast food everywhere, but in every grocery store and gas station there is easy access to quick unhealthy snacks and fast foods. In 1970, Americans were spending about 27% of their budgets on away-from-home food, and by 2006 that had increased to about 46%. All of these processed foods and fast foods that are always at the tip of your fingers are full off bad carbohydrates and sugars that lead to weight gain and other health issues such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Higher calorie foods such as salty snacks, soft drinks, pizza and fast food are much easier to find than lower calorie foods such as salads and whole fruits. Just alone in 2001, Americans spent one hundred and ten billion dollars on fast food (Publications). Simply because processed foods can lead to obesity, it does not mean that it is the reason for everyone who is obese. Obesity is also a health issue that is a cause from genetics and one is unable to change their weight even if they are on a strict diet.

Because there are so many easier options to go through a drive thru and pay for an inexpensive meal or stop at a gas station and grab some chips and a soda, lots of people choose these options over healthier foods more than often. Where there are higher poverty rates, obesity is more apparent. Processed foods with preservatives and additives are much cheaper than buying whole fresh foods such as vegetables, fruits, meats and even seafood. In the span of fifteen years from 1985-2000, retail prices for fresh fruits and vegetables rose about 120 percent. This is about six times higher than rates for sodas and three times higher for sweets and fats. In lower income populations, there are many more fast food places to choose from and less grocery stores with fresh produce. It is also seen that in these lower income populations, there is much more advertising for processed foods compared to the food advertisements in higher income populations. Other than the increase in consumption of processed foods, fatty meats, refined grains and added fats are also seen to be eaten more in these areas.  Many people who have to work hard long hours to make enough to feed the family also choose processed foods because it is less time consuming and cheaper (Rojas-Burke). There are higher chances of finding obese and overweight people in lower income locations, and this again also targets other health issues.

Another serious health issue that has been a concern from consumption of these foods includes cancer. High calorie foods and foods loaded with salts can be serious damage to your stomach. The intensity of the salt can affect the lining of your stomach which will then make it more sensitive to cancer-causing chemicals. Processed meats have also revealed evidence that can lead to bowel, stomach, and possibly pancreatic cancer. The processed meats are made with preservatives and are cooked at high temperatures which adds more AGEs. Chemicals such as nitrates are commonly used to preserve processed meats which the stomach can convert to cancer-causing chemicals after consumption. Other cancers such as mouth, upper throat, larynx and lung have also been linked from eating these unhealthy processed foods. Even though there are many ways unhealthy foods can cause cancer, there are also ways to prevent and decrease the risk these cancers from forming. Fruits and vegetables are shown to decrease the chances of mouth, throat, and lung cancer. They are high in nutrients, vitamins, fiber and are low on calories. Unfortunately, it is still not fully understood how these foods can prevent certain cancer. High in fiber foods, especially whole grains, can prevent bowel cancer since the fiber is helpful when cleaning out your system and it gets rid of harmful chemicals that affect the bowel (How Healthy). A diet can easily be fixed with the start of eating healthier foods and consuming less processed foods. 

Although many problems from the consumption of processed foods lead to health issues in adults, it is also an alarming problem with babies and younger children. Baby food is one of the largest money making food industries. All baby food that comes in packages are more than likely processed. Although the food items may seem to be purees of vegetables and fruits, there are still additives and preservatives in them. In 2010, the FDA figured out that the biggest baby food company was making “unauthorized nutrient content claims”. Baby foods were also found to have low content of fiber, vitamin D, calcium, and other important nutrients. Toddlers and infants who were tested showed results of high in sugar, fat, starches and a lack of the vegetables and fruits they need (Bentley). Not having the right nutrients for growth can lead to health issues in young children and can trigger type 2 diabetes and obesity if not fed the proper foods. Buying already made baby food has its perks for stressed parents who are limited with time because of work, but in the end, that saved timed from making food from scratch is replaced with future health problems. 

Other than health issues, processed foods do not simply affect people physically. Looking at it from a financial point of view, these foods have also taken a huge toll on our health insurance bill as a nation. In a New York Times article called “Big Food vs. Big Insurance” article writer Michael Pollan explains how the nation spends $2.3 trillion in the health care industry. Although all that money goes to thousands of different types of research, “according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, three-quarters of health care spending now goes to treat ‘preventable chronic diseases’” (Pollan). Of that amount, $147 billion of that is to treat obesity and $116 billion of that is to treat diabetes. More of that money could be spent to help study other more serious diseases, rather than those that are major causes from unhealthy processed foods.

Over the past three centuries, the food industry has significantly changed. Starting with the primary goal of figuring out how to preserve foods, the process has now become a way of transporting foods worldwide and is one of the largest sources of income for many countries. Although it is such a money-making industry, processed foods have led to health issues which have become more costly than the profits from the sales which have been brought in by these foods. Severely common health issues such as diabetes and obesity can be reduced by changing the way Americans eat and feed their families by eliminating these processed foods. 

