As the rates of obesity rise in the United States, chronic illnesses are also becoming more prevalent. The inherent connection between
western diets and disease has become an undeniable one. What people put into their bodies does indeed effect factors like longevity and life quality. Following are a few things to know about what westerners are eating and the effects that these foods are having on their well-being.
One of the very first things to understand is that sugar is being consumed in alarming quantities within the west. People are eating refined and processed foods that contain excess amounts of sugar and other unhealthy additives. This is largely responsible for the rise of obesity in western areas, as well as for hypertension, diabetes and other health issues.
In addition to causing obesity and other weight-related problems, consuming massive amounts of sugar also creates considerable, internal inflammation. Inflammation is a major cause of western disease. People who eat diets that are high in sugar are more likely to deal with arthritis, fungal infections and even cancer as a result.
People in the west are also consuming a considerable amount of corn. Unfortunately, however, rather than eating corn in its fresh and natural state, they are eating byproducts of this produce that are hardly recognizable by the body. This includes things like corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, and maltodextrin among many others.
There are times when what a person isn't eating is more important that what he or she is eating. There are many modern consumers who are not eating sufficient servings of fresh produce, heart healthy fats or whole grains. There are a number of revitalizing benefits that these options supply that people are simply missing out on.
It is additionally important to note that food quality has decreased considerably in recent years due to cost-related changes in food production. Cultivated foods tend to have fewer minerals as the result of soil depletion. As such, even when consumers are making a concerted effort to eat healthily, they may not be getting all of the nutrients that their bodies need. This had lead to problems with nutrient deficiencies that are becoming increasingly widespread.
Developed nations would be expected to have diets with particularly high nutritional values especially when compared to the diets that are maintained of necessity in nations that are still in the process of development. Foods that have been genetically modified and foods that lack key nutrients as the result of modern cultivation, however, have lead to an increased number of serious health issues. There are a number of obese Americans who are both overfed and undernourished at once. This has also led to an increase in mental health concerns that include chronic anxiety and chronic depression. These are actually among some of the more common and early symptoms of many nutritional deficiencies.
Diets that are largely animal-based seem to be the norm in this region. People, however, tend to gain the most benefits from plant-based foods. These foods limit the risks of cancer, decrease inflammation and provide a range of age-defying antioxidants and phytonutrients. Rather than promoting diseases, these are dietary additions that bolster the immune system and actively fight against widespread illness.