The drink became successful because of its coca flavour, not because of its "tonic" effect. Sulu says that some modern food processing is done for aesthetic reasons and not the original reason, which might have become redundant. Like soft drinks, modern chocolate is far removed from its original iteration. Chocolate originates from ancient Mesoamerica where cacao beans were brewed as a bitter-tasting hot drink.
We know broadly how these hot chocolate drinks were prepared by analysing layers of residues absorbed on the insides of Ancient Maya pottery from AD the cacao beans were ground, but not to a dry powder as we might expect today, instead to an oily pulp.
After brewing, the oils would sit on top of the drink and the bean grit would sink to the bottom creating layers on the inside of cups. Depictions of hot chocolate drinkers in Ancient Maya artworks also reveal that hot chocolate might have been intended for communal use in ceremonies. Should we be swapping more refined sugars for those that occur naturally, such as the fructose found in fruit? The Aztecs made the next chocolate innovation, choosing to drink their chocolate cold and spiced.
Separating the butterfat, grinding and roasting the dry bean mass to produce a cocoa powder was an innovation that came later, and might have made it easier to store or transport. By drying the powder, chocolate could be traded as a commodity or shipped across seas. No longer could it only be prepared fresh for ceremonies. Chemists began experimenting with new reformulations for chocolate as the market for confectionery boomed.
Sugar was a luxury product for a long time. These sugars are not only used as sweeteners but have important technological functions in foods, providing texture, bulk, colour and acting as preservative agents. By comparison, processed confectionery contains more sugars for the same sweet hit. Much of the sugar is there to cheaply bulk out the processed food. We might need to get used to more processing — though for reasons of public health — in the future as we find ways to keep food fresh and looking its best without these ingredients.
Finding new ways to structure foods will be an important form of food processing in the future, agrees Gibney, as we move towards a plant-based diet. Are we moving away from one kind of food for ethical reasons and moving towards something that is more processed? Join one million Future fans by liking us on Facebook , or follow us on Twitter or Instagram. If you liked this story, sign up for the weekly bbc.
Beyond Natural Food. How processed foods became so unhealthy. Share using Email. By William Park. From putrid water to fizzy cola, food processing gave us preservation, consistency and innovation.
If the processing does not add chemicals or ingredients, it does not tend to lessen the healthfulness of the food. Chemically processed foods often only contain refined ingredients and artificial substances, with little nutritional value. They tend to have added chemical flavoring agents, colors, and sweeteners.
However, they usually contain ingredients that could be harmful if consumed in excess, such as saturated fats, added sugar, and salt. These foods also contain less dietary fiber and fewer vitamins than whole foods. The researchers reached this conclusion after accounting for saturated fat, sodium , sugar, and fiber intake. Another large study , involving almost 20, adults, found that eating more than 4 servings of processed food daily was linked with an increased risk of all-cause mortality.
Other research indicates that eating highly processed foods can lead to weight gain. Processed foods tend to contain added sugar and, often, high fructose corn syrup. Added sugar contains no essential nutrients but is high in calories. Regularly consuming an excess of added sugar can lead to compulsive overeating.
It is also linked with health conditions such as obesity, metabolic syndrome , type 2 diabetes , and inflammatory diseases. Processed foods and beverages are among the major sources of added sugar in the diet.
Sweetened beverages are a particularly significant source; people tend to consume much more sugar than they realize in soft drinks. Cutting down on added sugar — by drinking sparkling water instead of soda, for example — is a quick and effective way to make the diet more healthful. The ingredients list on the back of processed food packaging is often full of unrecognizable substances.
Some are artificial chemicals that the manufacturer has added to make the food more palatable. Also, processed foods can contain dozens of additional chemicals that are not listed on their labels. Manufacturers do not have to disclose exactly what it means, and it is usually a combination of chemicals. Official organizations have tested most food additives for safety, though the use of these chemicals remains controversial among doctors and researchers.
Carbohydrates are an essential component of any diet. However, carbs from whole foods provide far greater health benefits than refined carbohydrates. The body breaks down refined, or simple, carbohydrates quickly, leading to rapid spikes in blood sugar and insulin levels. When these levels then drop, a person may experience food cravings and low energy.
Because refined carbs cause frequent increases and decreases in blood sugar, consuming them is linked with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Healthful sources of carbohydrates include:. Ultra-processed foods are very low in essential nutrients, compared with whole or minimally processed foods. In some cases, manufacturers add synthetic vitamins and minerals to replace nutrients lost during processing. However, whole foods provide additional healthful compounds that ultra-processed foods do not.
This is because of the amount of nitrates they contain. The study deemed them as bad as cigarettes. A closer look: Each slice of pan-fried bacon contains an astounding milligrams mg of sodium. Just one piece of bacon would account for 8 to 13 percent of your intake. Try this instead: Avocado is a great alternative. It contains healthy fats and proteins. It also has a hearty rich flavor like bacon. You can substitute avocado almost anytime you would use bacon.
Try having avocado and eggs. Instead of a traditional BLT, make a sandwich using avocado, lettuce , and tomato. Shop for avocados. Consider the granola bar. Avoid them because of their high amount of simple carbohydrates and their long ingredient lists filled with difficult-to-pronounce words.
Try this instead: Some store-bought granola bars, such as KIND bars, are made with slightly less sugar. However, you may be better off making your own. Experiment with a few different recipes.
To control the amount of sugar, you can sweeten your bars with stevia. Also check out this low-carb granola bar from the blog Sweetashoney. Each bar only contains 1. This extra salt and sugar can lead to weight gain, diabetes , and high blood pressure. Their sticky, sugary goodness also makes them the enemy of healthy teeth. A closer look: One ounce oz. A 1-oz. If you eat more than a handful of flavored nuts, you could end up consuming more fat, sugar, or salt than you might have bargained for.
Instead of getting flavored nuts, stick with the unflavored versions. You can roast them, toast them, or eat them plain. Pistachios , walnuts , cashews , and virtually every other nut contain protein and good fats. Shop for unsalted nuts. Perfluoroalkyls are just one class of chemical found in microwave popcorn bags. Some studies have linked perfluoroalkyls with health problems as diverse as impaired kidney function and poor semen quality. However, each bag contains 3. According to the AHA, no more than 5 to 6 percent of your daily calories should come from saturated fat.
For a person who eats 2, calories a day, this would work out to just 11 to 13 g of saturated fat. On top of that, microwave popcorn is often made with the controversial palm oil. Try this instead: A much healthier alternative is to simply buy corn kernels and pop them on the stove yourself.
Put them in a pan, cover the top with tinfoil, and turn on the heat. The kernels will begin to pop. Shop for corn kernels. You might reach for a handful of raisins or a few spears of dried mango to satisfy a sweet tooth. These dried fruits have a good amount of fiber , vitamins, and minerals, making them a better option than Skittles. Be careful with the portion size, though.
Even a small portion carries a high-calorie, high-sugar punch. The extra sugar also promises weight gain. A closer look: Dried fruit can contain anywhere from Try to avoid candied fruit, which is dried fruit with added sugar or syrup.
Add frozen fruit to cereal, smoothies , or other beverages. Shop for frozen fruit. Most varieties contain only a drop of actual fruit ingredients and are packed with high fructose corn syrup and cane sugar. These sweeteners could lead to weight gain, which can increase your risk for diabetes. Their excess sugar and gelatinous ingredients also stick to teeth, providing an ideal environment for bacteria to create cavities. One small pouch Try this instead: The best alternative to fruit snacks and other fruit candy is real fruit.
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