The communitie's questions of what is processed food? Is there a difference between processed food and non-processed food? What are the consequences of consuming processed food? and Should people consume processed food? are anwered in this review. We concluded that there is a significant difference between processed food and non-processed food, that consequences of eating processed food are more negative than positive and that the majority of experts would not reccommend eating this processed products.
Processed Food: A Review of the Literature
Laura Resendiz
University of Texas at El Paso
Laura Resendiz
University of Texas at El Paso
Abstract
Food is a neccesity and everyone has their own eating practices. A phenomenon that makes food of “better quality” called processed food was created to innovate food. However, this food has been widely critized. As a result, many rumors rise up everyday towards this subject. This literature review is designed to put together information about processed food. Through meticulously prepared questions, experienced authors of articles and a selected group of the population shares their opinion about the subject. It brings its audience a variery of sources about the history behind the mith of processed food.
The different interpretations of the nature of processed food have created confusion among people. There are different stories and theories around the consumption and effects of processsed food.Experts have decided to share their opinions and knowledge through different ways of communication. Articles, Newspaper articles, websites and videos are part of thiscommunication resources. All these procedures contain divergent points of views and explain different perspectives. Their purpose is to answer common questions that the community has. This review will answer four basic questions of definition, fact, quality, and policy based on scholar research. This questions are:
1. What is processed food?
2. Is there a difference between processed food and non-processed food?
3. What are the consequences of consuming processed food?
4. Should people consume processed food?
1. What is processed food?
2. Is there a difference between processed food and non-processed food?
3. What are the consequences of consuming processed food?
4. Should people consume processed food?
What is processed food?
In recent discussions on processed food, an important issue has been to determine people’s knowledge about what is processed food. Food that has been modified is called processed food. For different purposes, food is altered from its original condition. A non-representative written survey was made to the customers in a local McDonald’s restaurant in El Paso, Texas by the author. Subjects who participated in the survey belonged to diverse ages, sex and education levels. They were asked, “Do you know what is processed food?” (L. Resendiz, Survey, April 3rd, 2013) for a “yes or no” answer. Out of 12 people who participated, 5 answered yes; 7 answered no. 5 individuals claimed to know what processed food is, 7 people recognized their ignorance towards the subject of processed food. The survey revealed that in the community a 58% of the people do not have a definition for processed food.. Scholars have different definitions for processed food. According to Rachel Laudan (2002) processed foods are “preservable, industrial, novel, and fast, the food of the elite at a price everyone could afford.”(para. 1) Her definition portrays processed food as a product made for the comunity's behalf. However, the authors of the article, “Contribution of highly processed foods...” give us a more detailed presentation of processed food. Indeed, they break down the definition of processed food in three categories. Highly processed food, moderately processed food and foods with unknown process. Scholars argue that highly processed foods come mainly from factories. Slimani (2002) defined highly processed foods as “Foods that have been industrially prepared, including those from bakeries and catering outlets, and which require no or minimal domestic preparation apart from heating and cooking". (S208). Her examples of highly processed food includes “bread, breakfast cereals, cheese, commercial sauces, canned foods including jams, commercial cakes, biscuits and sauces.” (Slimani, 2002, S208) Another definition of processed food is moderately processed food. Researchers have concluded that an easy and simple example of moderately processed food are salads and frozen vegetables and fruits. As Slimani explained,
“Moderately processed foods: This category includes two sets of foods. First, industrial and commercial foods involving relatively modest processing and consumed with no further cooking such as dried fruits, raw vacuum-packed or under controlled atmosphere foods (for example, salads), frozen basic foods, extra virgin olive oil, fruits and vegetables canned in water/brine or in own juice. Second, foods processed at home and prepared/cooked from raw or moderately processed foods (for example, vegetables, meat and fish cooked from raw fresh ingredients, or vacuum packed, deep-frozen, canned in water/brine or in own juice).” (S208). Salads and frozen vegetables and fruits are moderately processed foods along with many other products listed before.
Another category in the definition of processed food by Slimani (2002) is food with unknown process. The unknown process stands for no alterations. Slimani (2002) describes food with unknown process as, “foods consumed raw without any further processing/preparation, except washing, cutting, peeling, squeezing.”(S208). “fruits, non-processed nuts, vegetables, crustaceans, molluscs, fresh jueces”(S208) are exemplifications of food of unknown process in Slimani's (2002) research. This food is what we can define as natural.
Scholarly articles also explain that processed food can be defined as food with a high demand. Slimani stated, “Moderately processed foods represented 20–25% of total food intake in Italy, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, Granada (women, Spain), Sweden, Norway and Denmark”(Slimani, 2002, S209). Through statistics, processed food is proven to be (theoritically) food with high demand.
“Moderately processed foods: This category includes two sets of foods. First, industrial and commercial foods involving relatively modest processing and consumed with no further cooking such as dried fruits, raw vacuum-packed or under controlled atmosphere foods (for example, salads), frozen basic foods, extra virgin olive oil, fruits and vegetables canned in water/brine or in own juice. Second, foods processed at home and prepared/cooked from raw or moderately processed foods (for example, vegetables, meat and fish cooked from raw fresh ingredients, or vacuum packed, deep-frozen, canned in water/brine or in own juice).” (S208). Salads and frozen vegetables and fruits are moderately processed foods along with many other products listed before.
Another category in the definition of processed food by Slimani (2002) is food with unknown process. The unknown process stands for no alterations. Slimani (2002) describes food with unknown process as, “foods consumed raw without any further processing/preparation, except washing, cutting, peeling, squeezing.”(S208). “fruits, non-processed nuts, vegetables, crustaceans, molluscs, fresh jueces”(S208) are exemplifications of food of unknown process in Slimani's (2002) research. This food is what we can define as natural.
Scholarly articles also explain that processed food can be defined as food with a high demand. Slimani stated, “Moderately processed foods represented 20–25% of total food intake in Italy, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, Granada (women, Spain), Sweden, Norway and Denmark”(Slimani, 2002, S209). Through statistics, processed food is proven to be (theoritically) food with high demand.
Is there a difference between processed food and non-processed food?
In recent debates on processing food, a controversial issue has been contrasting processed food from non-processed food. In many cases, reasearches have found that currently, people are becoming more health oriented and prefer to buy natural food over processed food. This is because they are foods with the advantage of being able to be consumed without any processing except for washing, cutting, peeling, and squeezing. But, inside the supermarkets “in addition to products described as 'all natural,' there are many foods that use the word natural to define a particular ingredient”(pg. 3) which brings up a concern of the Marian Burros, “If the industry cannot decide what natural means, how is it possible for shoppers to make the distinction?”(Burros, pg. 3) This argument rose up through the claim that the community has a notorious confusion when trying to capture real from fake food. One characteristic of processed aliments is its ability to lastlonger in shelves than what natural foods can. This is possible through the addition of chemicals. Marian Burros then asks, “Does it cease being a natural food because an organic wax is put on it?''(Burros, pg. 2). She answered her question in a very obvious way through an example of the slogan of an all natural company called the California based Health Valley company which says: ''Come to Health Valley - 300 of the greatest-tasting natural foods. No preservatives, added sugars or anything artificial.”(Burros, pg. 2). This technique leads to an obvious answer of yes to the question. On the other hand, others argue that “there are some processed foods that can be considered natural”(pg. 3) This evidence leads to the thought that there’s not a real difference between natural food and modified food. Now a days, it is hard to find a product that has not been altered at least a little bit of its natural condition. A conclusion to this problem by Burros stated, “if a food contains ingredients that are more than minimally processed it can still call itself natural if those highly processed ingredients are described in the name of the food.”(pg. 3) Due to this finding, the determination is that what makes the difference between processed food and non-processed food is the quantity of alterations it has been through. In some extreme cases, the claim is that non-processed food is raw and not modified products and that is what makes them different from the processed food. In other scenarios, the probable difference between processed food and non-processed food is how much you alter the product. Every 11 out of 12 people in the US thinks there is a big difference between processed food and non-processed food. The written survey conducted at Mc’Donalds restaurant by the author revealed that 91% of the community thinks that there is a huge difference in processed food compared to non-processed food when asked to answer the “yes or no” question of, “is there a big difference between processed foos and non-processed food?” (L. Resendiz, Survey, April 3rd, 2013). Most people agree with the scholars that think that there is a significant difference between processed food and non-processed food.
What are the consequences of consuming processed food?
Discussions of processed food being good or bad are subject for review. 10 out of 12 citizens in the US think that it is bad to consume processed food. The author’s question in a survey, “is it good or bad to consume processed food?” (L. Resendiz, Survey, April 3rd, 2013) for a “good or bad” answer launched a result of an 83% of the population choosing “bad”. A great majority of the community thinks that it is bad to consume processed food. One noted negative consequence of eating processed food according to scholars is the ingest of excessive phosphate. Shutto (2010) discovered that eventhough phosphate is an essential mineral for the body, having too much can be dangerous. The biggest problem that this causes is that people are unaware of the amount of phosphate they take regularly. (Shutto, 2010). The excess of this mineral means a negative effect to the human's body. Scholars directed surveys and visual representations to prove the lack of knowledge about phosphate. A survey made by Shutto (2010) asked students whether they were aware of the sugar and phosphate they consume in a daily basis. This survery recorded that a higher percent of people are unaware of their phosphate consumption. Figure 1.
“More importantly, 67.7% were not at all aware of the potential harmful consequences of consuming excessive amounts of phosphate for a prolonged period of time.”(Shutto, 2010, pg.2). Thus, the ignorance about major consumption of phosphate leads to health problems.
Weight gain is a known negative effect of processed food consumption among health experts. Brody (1997) argues that, “trans fats are formed when an unsaturated fat like corn oil or soybean oil is partly hydrogenated (read "saturated") to make margarine or cooking fats like those commonly used in many processed and fast foods.”( p.2). A constant consumption of this trans fats is what produces the raise in weight. Brody’s idea is shared by Sadie B. Barr and Jonathan C. Wright. These scholars state that there is relationship between consuming processed foods and rises in obesity rates. Barr and Wright (2010) state, “A primary cause of this obesity epidemic is thought to be gross caloric intake (2, 3),which has risen by an estimated 300 calories per day in the past 25 years in the USA (4). This has a strong association with increased consumption of pre-preparedprocessed foods (PF) (2, 5, 6) and insufficient consumption of whole foods.”(pg.1) Because they link processed food to obesity, they deduce that altered food cause negative consequences. The problem of obesity carries on to children. Kids are vulnerable and most likely attracted to junk food because it is popular and delicious. A disadvantage is that it is advertised in t.v. and it is being recommended. Betty Fussell (1993) argued in behalf of the kids, “The food industry must take responsibility for the consequences of the blitz of TV ads it aims at children, recognize that a junk food diet affects health adversely and promote a healthy diet for kids.”(pg.2). The relation between T.V advertisements lead to an increase amount of consumption of processed and obesity which directly affects children's body health. In some studies, scientist relate obesity to processed food because it is a side effect of the problems it causes to body’s metabolism. Barr and Wright state, “The results of this study suggest that this PF meal is more thermodynamically efficient than the comparable WF meal, and thus confers a metabolic disadvantage in relation to obesity.”( Food & Nutrition Research 2010, 54: 5144 - DOI: 10.3402/fnr.v54i0.5144). In addition to this statement, Barr and Wright’s aticle, “Postprandial energy expenditure in whole-food and processed-food meals: implications for daily energy expenditure” also link the energy results of eating processed food to obesity by stating, “If the findings of the present study are supported by future work, this would indicate that diets with a high proportion of PFs will result in increased energy assimilation and may be a contributor to weight gain.”( Food & Nutrition Research 2010, 54: 5144 - DOI: 10.3402/fnr.v54i0.5144). Because most authors conclude that all the effects of processed food consumption lead to weight problems, this can possibly be the most known consequence of it but it is only the physical effect; the real health problems are calories intake, children’s health, slow metabolism and unexpected increase of energy.
Scholars present the energy intake when eating processed foods as a good and beneficial consequence. In contrast to other authors Slimani states, “energy intake was selected as the most relevant nutritional indicator for assessing the contribution of highly processed foods to the overall diet”(S214). In this point of view, the weight gain is not a concept of care but the additional energy that processed food provides is. Processed food is possitive due to its addition of vitamins that natural foods can loose or do not have in the beginning. The debate among scholars about processed food is strong. While the good consequences of processed food is energy intake, on the other side of the table the increasing rates of obesity, children obesity and high consumption of phosphate are negative consequences. Researchers found more negative effects than positive consequences.
“More importantly, 67.7% were not at all aware of the potential harmful consequences of consuming excessive amounts of phosphate for a prolonged period of time.”(Shutto, 2010, pg.2). Thus, the ignorance about major consumption of phosphate leads to health problems.
Weight gain is a known negative effect of processed food consumption among health experts. Brody (1997) argues that, “trans fats are formed when an unsaturated fat like corn oil or soybean oil is partly hydrogenated (read "saturated") to make margarine or cooking fats like those commonly used in many processed and fast foods.”( p.2). A constant consumption of this trans fats is what produces the raise in weight. Brody’s idea is shared by Sadie B. Barr and Jonathan C. Wright. These scholars state that there is relationship between consuming processed foods and rises in obesity rates. Barr and Wright (2010) state, “A primary cause of this obesity epidemic is thought to be gross caloric intake (2, 3),which has risen by an estimated 300 calories per day in the past 25 years in the USA (4). This has a strong association with increased consumption of pre-preparedprocessed foods (PF) (2, 5, 6) and insufficient consumption of whole foods.”(pg.1) Because they link processed food to obesity, they deduce that altered food cause negative consequences. The problem of obesity carries on to children. Kids are vulnerable and most likely attracted to junk food because it is popular and delicious. A disadvantage is that it is advertised in t.v. and it is being recommended. Betty Fussell (1993) argued in behalf of the kids, “The food industry must take responsibility for the consequences of the blitz of TV ads it aims at children, recognize that a junk food diet affects health adversely and promote a healthy diet for kids.”(pg.2). The relation between T.V advertisements lead to an increase amount of consumption of processed and obesity which directly affects children's body health. In some studies, scientist relate obesity to processed food because it is a side effect of the problems it causes to body’s metabolism. Barr and Wright state, “The results of this study suggest that this PF meal is more thermodynamically efficient than the comparable WF meal, and thus confers a metabolic disadvantage in relation to obesity.”( Food & Nutrition Research 2010, 54: 5144 - DOI: 10.3402/fnr.v54i0.5144). In addition to this statement, Barr and Wright’s aticle, “Postprandial energy expenditure in whole-food and processed-food meals: implications for daily energy expenditure” also link the energy results of eating processed food to obesity by stating, “If the findings of the present study are supported by future work, this would indicate that diets with a high proportion of PFs will result in increased energy assimilation and may be a contributor to weight gain.”( Food & Nutrition Research 2010, 54: 5144 - DOI: 10.3402/fnr.v54i0.5144). Because most authors conclude that all the effects of processed food consumption lead to weight problems, this can possibly be the most known consequence of it but it is only the physical effect; the real health problems are calories intake, children’s health, slow metabolism and unexpected increase of energy.
Scholars present the energy intake when eating processed foods as a good and beneficial consequence. In contrast to other authors Slimani states, “energy intake was selected as the most relevant nutritional indicator for assessing the contribution of highly processed foods to the overall diet”(S214). In this point of view, the weight gain is not a concept of care but the additional energy that processed food provides is. Processed food is possitive due to its addition of vitamins that natural foods can loose or do not have in the beginning. The debate among scholars about processed food is strong. While the good consequences of processed food is energy intake, on the other side of the table the increasing rates of obesity, children obesity and high consumption of phosphate are negative consequences. Researchers found more negative effects than positive consequences.
Should people consume processed food?
Concerns about the consumption of processed food is a factor for discussion of experts and the community. Uncertainity to whether people should or should not consume processed food is confusing people. Scholars concluded that processed food should be consumed by everyone. Two main reasons why people choose the food that they eat is for healthy or taste purposes. Laudan(2012) observed that the decision of healthy from delicious doesn’t have to be difficult. In many cases, food might be both and that it due to its processing. Processing food will fullfill the necessities of people searching for taste and health. Academics argue that people should consume processed food because it tastes good. Laudan (2012) exposed the fact that, “for our ancestors, natural was something quite nasty. Natural often tasted bad. Fresh meat was rank and tough, fresh milk warm and unmistakably a bodily excretion; fresh fruits (dates and grapes being rare exceptions outside the tropics) were inedibly sour, fresh vegetables bitter”(Laudan, para.3) This emphasizes the idea that natural food has never been tasty; therefore, people should eat processed food to avoid a bad eating experience. Many authors of nutrition articles agree that people should consume processed food because it will avoid starvation. Laudan (2012) highlights that people have the certainty that when rain doesn’t fall, then natural food cannot grow; then there wouldn’t be food for people to eat. This is a problem that makes people realize that the creation of processed food is not as bad as they think. In addition to the suggestion of eating processed food because of its good taste, some scholars also add up the fact of easy digestion to the reasons why people should consume processed food. Laudan stated, “processed and preserved foods kept well, were easier to digest, and were delicious” (Laudan, 2012, para.9). The author's explicit words “easier to digest" and “delicious" explain his claim.
Sometimes people don't want to consume food because of its negative health effects. However, processing food might not be the only reason for people’s health problems. Proffessionals concur that people should consume processed food because it eliminates most of the food toxins dangerous for human health. Laudan (2012) explained that the enviroment “in the cities, polluted water supplies brought intestinal diseases in their wake.” This was the polluted water with which the natural food was washed and from which it obtained unknown toxins. (Laudan, 2012, para. 13) Therefore, despite the negative idea of processed food, one step of processing food includes the elimination of dangerous chemicals and toxins that the food products gain through many different situations. However, the community in the US disagrees with some scholar articles that recommend consuming processed food. Every 12 out of 12 people in the US do not recommend the consumption of processed food. In the author’s survey question, “Do you recommend consuming processed food?” for a “yes or no” anwser of the Mc’Donalds customers, a 100% circled “no” for an aswer. In sum, most scholars and experts in nutrion recommend consuming processed products while the population of the US advice is to avoid this food.
Sometimes people don't want to consume food because of its negative health effects. However, processing food might not be the only reason for people’s health problems. Proffessionals concur that people should consume processed food because it eliminates most of the food toxins dangerous for human health. Laudan (2012) explained that the enviroment “in the cities, polluted water supplies brought intestinal diseases in their wake.” This was the polluted water with which the natural food was washed and from which it obtained unknown toxins. (Laudan, 2012, para. 13) Therefore, despite the negative idea of processed food, one step of processing food includes the elimination of dangerous chemicals and toxins that the food products gain through many different situations. However, the community in the US disagrees with some scholar articles that recommend consuming processed food. Every 12 out of 12 people in the US do not recommend the consumption of processed food. In the author’s survey question, “Do you recommend consuming processed food?” for a “yes or no” anwser of the Mc’Donalds customers, a 100% circled “no” for an aswer. In sum, most scholars and experts in nutrion recommend consuming processed products while the population of the US advice is to avoid this food.
Conclusion
This facts allow people to create their own opinion and decide based on their beliefs and priorities. People’s own decision of diets must always be according to what they think is better for them. Many articles, videos, interviews, and books express a variety of theories and thoughts from people all around the world, but the reader is the one to make their final choice. People eat what they want to eat and they must enjoy what they are eating. In sum, people will learn about the characteristics, disadvantages, advantages, and differences of processed food in order to develop their own description of this food. People is what they eat and they decide what they eat.
References
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ture. Food & Nutrition Research, 541-9.
Brody, J. E. (1997). Personal Health; Making Sense of Latest Twist on Fat in the Diet. Retrieved from http://0www.lexisnexis.com.lib.utep.edu/hotto
pics/lna cademic/.
Burros, M. (1982). 'NATURAL' FOOD: TELLING THE REAL FROM THE ARTIFICIAL. The New York Times. Retrieved fromhttp:// 0www.lexisnexis.
com.lib.utep.edu/hottopics/lnacademic/.
Food and Nutrition [Video File]. Retrieved fromhttp://0digital.films.com.lib.utep.edu/PortalViewVideo.aspx?xtid=5591.
Fussell, B. (1993). A Mystery on Every Plate. The New YorK Times. Retrieved from http://0www.lexisnexis.com.lib.utep.edu/hottopics/lnacademic/.
Laudan, R. (2012). Modern Industrialized Food Is Nutritious. Retrieved from http://0ic.galegroup.com.lib.utep.edu/ ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/
ViewpointsDetailsWindowfailOver&query=&prodId=OVIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Viewp
oints&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&source=&search_within_results=&action=e&catId=&activity
&scanId=&documentId=GALE%7CEJ3010785207
Shutto, Y., Shimada, M., Kitajima, M., Yamabe, H., & Razzaque, M. S. (2011). Lack of Awareness among Future Medical Professionals about the Risk
of Consuming Hidden Phosphate-Containing Processed Food and Drinks. Plos ONE, 6(12), 1-5. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0029105
Slimani, N. N., Deharveng, G. G., Southgate, D. T., Biessy, C. C., Chajès, V. V., van Bakel, M. E., & ... Wirfält, E. E. (2009). Contribution of highly
industrially processed foods to the nutrient intakes and patterns of middle-aged populations in the European Prospective Investigation
into Cancer and Nutrition study. European Journal Of Clinical Nutrition, 63S206-S225. doi:10.1038/ejcn.2009.82.