Foods known as “white poisons” are widely consumed and should cease to be.
Processed food didn’t exist back in the day, but today it’s found in virtually every kitchen cupboard. Many of these products are eaten every day, but what most people may not know is that there are certain foods that are ruining their health. Some are what are popularly known as “white poisons”.
- You may want to read: “ Quinoa: 12 properties and benefits of this pseudocereal ”
The 8 white poisons that harm your health
Currently, the food industry has won the game over fresh and local food . The data shows that more than 90% of the food that is bought in a western country like Spain is sold only through the 10 main supermarket chains.
Many of the food products sold in these supermarkets contain at least one of the white poisons. Biscuits, bread, pastries, nuts, cakes, ice cream, sauces… the list of products is endless.
- It might interest you: “ Organic food: what they are, and 6 benefits of consuming them ”
1. Sugar
Sugar is considered the worst of all white poisons . It ruins people’s health at different levels despite the fact that it pleases many palates addicted to its flavor. In order for sugar to be refined, it goes through different phases in which it comes into contact with different chemical substances.
But the worst thing about sugar is that it is an empty food and that it makes us fat. It provides us with calories and nothing else (it does not provide vitamins, minerals, etc.), and its entry into the bloodstream is so fast that it causes diseases such as diabetes. Our body has trouble storing it and ends up turning it into fat.
2. Sal
There is no doubt that we are consuming salt beyond our means . Studies suggest that Europe is consuming 10 times more salt than the amount recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Salt for mass consumption is composed only of sodium chloride. Its excessive intake is directly related to cases of hypertension and the increase in cardiovascular diseases in general.
3. Flour
There are different types of flour, but the most consumed are the least healthy . The most consumed flour is type 00 wheat, which only contains the carbohydrates and gluten of the cereal.
This ultra-refined flour is devoid of any form of fiber in which most of the healthy trace elements (vitamins, minerals, etc.) are found. Therefore, it is a very caloric product that passes quickly into the blood. In addition, gluten is a substance that causes intestinal inflammation.
4. Pasta
Talking about pasta is practically talking about flour . Pasta is mainly made up of flour, and despite the fact that there are pastas that are less refined than others, it is a very high-calorie product and not very interesting on a nutritional level.
In general, it is a product that provides a lot of energy but little else, that is, it does not contain trace elements necessary for our body. It tends to make those who take it fat and develop diseases such as diabetes or intestinal complications due to gluten (although there are pasta made from different gluten-free cereals, wheat pasta is the most common).
- We advise you to consume cereals such as oatmeal: “Oatmeal : 14 properties and benefits of this healthy cereal ”
5. White rice
Rice is a very good grain if consumed properly . The consumption of brown rice is understood as adequate, and it is that when we remove the fiber from the cereals and we keep the most refined part, health problems arise.
White rice is the most refined version of this cereal. The high density of carbohydrates and the lack of fiber makes the absorption of simple carbohydrates into the blood very fast. Also, if it is not soaked before cooking, the rice contains amounts of arsenic that are too high to be taken more than twice a week.
6. Leche
Milk is a food that has been highly questioned by the scientific community . It is concluded that drinking milk daily has more harm than good, but it is a very lucrative product for large companies and feeds millions of people.
There are many problems associated with milk consumption, and surely the most shocking is that it is related to bone decalcification. Yes, milk, the food with calcium par excellence. There are different reasons why its intake represents a problem for the skeletal system.
- To learn more about the harm of milk, we recommend you read: “ 15 compelling reasons to stop drinking milk
7. Soldier
Many will be surprised that soy is on this list. It is a food that has been valued in recent years thanks to many marketing campaigns and is a great resource for vegans as a source of protein. But we must not stay with biased information.
Soy-based fermented products are very healthy, but soy itself is not . It contains substances called antinutrients that prevent the absorption of nutrients that are present in the other foods we eat.
They also increase estrogen production and serve as a base for unhealthy food industry ingredients such as soy lecithin. To top it off, virtually all of the meat we eat comes from cattle that are fed GM soy.
8. Food additives
Some food additives are not highly recommended for our health . On many occasions, these are resources from the food industry to provide their products with flavour, conservation, texture, aroma, etc.
There are different examples of inadvisable additives, and the vast majority are treated as white powders before they are mixed with other ingredients. An example is sodium benzoate, which serves to lengthen the conservation of food. It has been shown that it can develop hypertension, hyperactivity in children or different allergies.
- Maybe you want to read: “ The 15 medicinal plants with the most properties and benefits ”
Bibliographic references
- Cohen, R. (1998). Milk: The Deadly Poison. USA: BookWorld Press.
- Fung, J. y Dinicolantonio, J. (2019). The Longevity Solution. Victory Belt Pub.
- Lustig, R. (2012). Fat Chance: The bitter truth about sugar. EUA: Fourth Estate.
- Oski, F.A. (2013). Don’t Drink Your Milk. TEACH Services, Inc.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.