Ready-to-go canned food is a fast food option, both for person and for children;
However, there are worrying data about health risks that may be associated with it, which we learn about in this detailed report.
We start with baby foods. According to a report in the American Insider website by Anna Medares Miller, some baby foods are contaminated with high levels of toxic heavy metals such as arsenic and lead.
The author said that a report issued by the US Congress indicates that common baby foods may contain dangerous levels of heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury, and that lead levels in some of them may reach 177 times the permissible amount from the US Food and Drug Administration.
She added that these results reveal that baby food manufacturers are subject to loose standards, not to mention that they ignore special internal standards, which puts children who consume these products at risk of developing diseases of the nervous system in the long term.
The author quoted a pediatrician, Rashmi Jane, as saying that the report's findings are "very concerning"
But parents can and can take steps to support their child's development.
Jane added, "We know that heavy metals are found in nature, so it is obvious that food contaminates. Eating small amounts of some minerals is actually important to health, and providing the body with high levels of these minerals does not mean that our children will definitely develop nervous system diseases, but rather it will increase the risk of Hit them. "
In order to conduct the report, the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policies requested documents and test results from some baby food manufacturers in the country, showing that there are products that contain high levels of arsenic, lead and cadmium.
The author stated that the levels of these minerals in baby food exceed the permissible amount in other products.
For example, mineral water cannot contain more than 10 parts per billion of inorganic arsenic, 5 parts per billion of lead, 5 parts per billion of cadmium, and two parts per billion of mercury.
In contrast, baby food contains 91 times the permissible level of arsenic, 177 times the level of lead, 69 times the level of cadmium, and up to 5 times the level of mercury.
Childhood heavy metal consumption is associated with a permanent decrease in IQ, an increased risk of future criminal activity, and long-term damage to brain function, the author explained.
When it comes to lead in particular, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that "there is no safe level of lead in the blood that does not pose a risk to a child's development or cognitive function."
She advised Jin to avoid feeding the children processed rice products, which are likely to be saturated with heavy metals, and fruit juices.
Alternatively, you can offer your children a variety of fruits and vegetables, with the necessity to purchase the ingredients for your child's meal yourself, wash them well, and cook them at home.
Jane added that regular visits to the pediatrician would help identify the developmental problems that your child may suffer from, whether due to his diet or any other factor.
Besides, it is imperative to hold food manufacturers responsible for limiting toxic metals in their products, which may arise from a combination of ingredients or during the manufacturing process.
Canned soup
We turn to another canned food, which adults and children eat, which is soup, and in this report published by the American magazine Eat This Not That, writer Jeff Satari reviews some of the dangerous health effects of excessive consumption of canned soup:
1- Flatulence
The writer asserts that bloating is not a dangerous symptom in itself;
However, it causes an uncomfortable feeling usually associated with eating salty foods.
Canned soup contains a very high amount of sodium, ranging from 600 to 700 milligrams for a small can, and researchers believe that it is water retention, which the sodium causes, that leads to bloating.
2- Obesity
Studies have shown that high sodium intake increases the risk of obesity.
Because of resorting to consuming more sugar-sweetened drinks as a result of feeling thirsty.
Other research has shown risks related to the salt itself.
3- High blood pressure
A large bowl of soup contains between 1,400 and 1,800 milligrams of sodium, and some may contain even greater amounts.
"Even if you eat half a cup of soup, you will get 890 milligrams of salt," says nutritionist Jana Maurer. "This represents more than half the amount of salt, which is not recommended to be exceeded daily."
The American Heart Association recommends a maximum of 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day, especially for those with high blood pressure, and 2,300 milligrams for most healthy adults.
But the average American consumes about 3,600 mg per day.
To reduce the effect of sodium, Maurer recommends eating a salad or some fruit alongside soup.
Because it is rich in potassium, which helps the body get rid of salt.
4- Risks of heart disease
Some canned soups - especially those prepared with milk and cream - are high in calories and saturated fats.
This may contribute to weight gain and increase the risk of heart disease.
A number of studies have shown that foods rich in saturated fats increase low-density lipoprotein ("bad" cholesterol).
Maurer recommends reducing the consumption of soups, which contain cream, and adopting a diet that consists of healthy and nutritious foods by 80%, and other foods that we like to eat by 20%.
5- Endocrine disorders
Many soup tins contain sodium phosphate as a preservative and flavor enhancer.
Although "phosphates" are necessary within the diet, a study in the Journal of Advances in Nutrition found that inorganic phosphates, which are added to canned foods, may cause endocrine disruptions, may lead to tissue damage, and enhance the risk of disease. Cardiovascular, renal impairment and osteoporosis.