Today, most foods are processed in some way, and they are difficult to avoid. The common thought about processed food is that it is something produced in a factory. That is true, but the actual definition of a processed food is “anything that is altered from its original form and nutritional value” (Nestle). Freezing, pasteurizing, cooking, and canning – these are all ways by which food is processed (SC#9). Supermarkets make buying processed food all too easy, and people take advantage of that. Not only do supermarkets fill their shelves almost entirely with processed foods, they sell such foods at a much lower price than organic foods. Both organic and processed foods contain necessary nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fats, and sugars.
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Nutrients come from carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. People need these nutrients for energy and to maintain homeostasis, and they are found in both processed and organic foods. Vitamins and minerals aid in general body function. If the recommended level of any nutrient is not met, a person is classified as “deficient” in that certain nutrient. Deficiencies in any nutrient can result in serious conditions and diseases – anemia, depression, and weak bones and immune systems – because the body is not getting enough of what it needs to survive. In the case that a person has a deficiency, he or she could take supplements. Studies prove, though, that people who eat more organic foods than processed have fewer deficiencies because organic foods contain more nutrients than processed foods. “Following a low-nutrient, processed diet contributes to deficiencies” (Haugen). Vitamin B6 (which has shown to lower heart disease) and vitamin E (which can reduce the risk of certain diseases, including prostate and colon cancers) are some of the leading deficiencies for humans (Harvard). Another common factor that vitamins B6 and E have is that eating more whole grains and natural nuts can increase their levels. Vitamins A, C, D, E, B1, B6, and B12 are all important to human health. “In fact, the word ‘vitamin’ is derived from the word, ‘vitamine’, which means, ‘vital to life’” (Spallholz). Minerals including iron, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and magnesium are also imperative in the human diet. Luckily, one can attain all these important nutrients in everyday, processed foods (BE#4). Orange juice is high in vitamin C, iron comes from red meat, and Vitamin D is abundant in
Nutrients come from carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. People need these nutrients for energy and to maintain homeostasis, and they are found in both processed and organic foods. Vitamins and minerals aid in general body function. If the recommended level of any nutrient is not met, a person is classified as “deficient” in that certain nutrient. Deficiencies in any nutrient can result in serious conditions and diseases – anemia, depression, and weak bones and immune systems – because the body is not getting enough of what it needs to survive. In the case that a person has a deficiency, he or she could take supplements. Studies prove, though, that people who eat more organic foods than processed have fewer deficiencies because organic foods contain more nutrients than processed foods. “Following a low-nutrient, processed diet contributes to deficiencies” (Haugen). Vitamin B6 (which has shown to lower heart disease) and vitamin E (which can reduce the risk of certain diseases, including prostate and colon cancers) are some of the leading deficiencies for humans (Harvard). Another common factor that vitamins B6 and E have is that eating more whole grains and natural nuts can increase their levels. Vitamins A, C, D, E, B1, B6, and B12 are all important to human health. “In fact, the word ‘vitamin’ is derived from the word, ‘vitamine’, which means, ‘vital to life’” (Spallholz). Minerals including iron, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and magnesium are also imperative in the human diet. Luckily, one can attain all these important nutrients in everyday, processed foods (BE#4). Orange juice is high in vitamin C, iron comes from red meat, and Vitamin D is abundant in