The hidden danger of frozen fast food on health!

Changing living conditions and the developing frozen food industry have brought frozen Fast Food products to an important place in daily nutrition.

Evaluating the effects of frozen fast food on health, Nutritionist Research Assistant Hatice Çolak said that "Various preservatives are used to extend the shelf life of frozen fast food foods and to preserve taste and texture. Although these preservatives protect the product against deterioration, they have negative effects on health."

Üsküdar University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Research Assistant Hatice Çolak evaluated the effects of frozen fast food on health.

The changing social life order has made frozen foods important

Noting that frozen foods have become important in eating habits with the changing social life order and the developing technology of the frozen food industry, Research Assistant Hatice Çolak stated that "Frozen foods are high quality vegetables, fruits, aquatic products, meat products are obtained by stages ranging from pre-processing such as selection, sorting, sorting, washing, cutting, shredding, boiling to freezing by various methods, preserving the freezing state, storage, transportation, distribution and consumption. Features such as the ease of storage of frozen food, easy processing, practicality, preservation of nutritional values, ease and speed in preparing for consumption are the features that increase the reason and importance of these products."

What are the additives used in frozen foods and their effects?

Stating that fast food products have an important place in frozen foods, Çolak continued her remarks as follows:

"Various preservatives are used to extend the shelf life of frozen fast food and to preserve the taste and texture. Sodium nitrate and nitrite in meat products; monosodium glutamate (MSG) as a flavor enhancer in soups, sauces, and processed meat products; benzoic acids in sauces, juices and acidic beverages; butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) to prevent fatty foods such as chips and snacks from going stale. Phosphates are frequently used in frozen meat, cheese and pastries. Although these preservatives protect the product against deterioration, they have negative effects on health. High levels of sodium nitrate and nitrite, which are frequently exposed, have been reported to trigger hypertension and have been especially associated with stomach cancer. The use of MSG has been found to increase migraine attacks and cause symptoms such as headache and dizziness. High phosphate consumption, on the other hand, can adversely affect bone and kidney health."

There are significant losses in vitamin content

Explaining that there is a decrease in the values of some foods compared to fresh foods during the freezing process, Research Assistant Hatice Çolak expressed that "While minerals such as calcium, iron and magnesium in the nutritional content remain more constant, there are significant losses in vitamin content. In particular, there is a decrease in the levels of water-soluble vitamin C and B vitamins. The freezing process does not make much difference in carbohydrate, protein, fat and fiber content. On the other hand, the preservation of the nutritional value of frozen foods can be achieved with a quality and fast freezing process."

It can lead to gestational diabetes and poisoning

Stating that frozen fast food products are ultra-processed foods, while their simple carbohydrate, saturated fat and sodium content is high, their pulp content is quite low, Research Assistant Hatice Çolak said that "For this reason, regular and frequent consumption of such foods instead of fresh food constitutes a risk factor for health. In an Australian study, it was reported that the consumption of ultra-processed foods such as frozen fast food is an important indicator that increases obesity. In another study, excessive ultra-processed food consumption before and during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes (gestational diabetes) and preeclampsia (pregnancy poisoning)."

Fresh and unprocessed foods should be consumed for a healthy life

Noting that it is recommended to give priority to fresh, unprocessed foods and limit the consumption of frozen fast food products for a healthy life, Research Assistant Hatice Çolak said that "In the preference of frozen food, frozen fruits, vegetables and meat-chicken-fish products prepared with fast and appropriate freezing techniques, without using preservatives, should be prioritized."

Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)