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What Defines the Line Between Food and Junk Food?

Many products found in supermarkets are often categorized as junk food. Here’s a breakdown of why that classification matters.

Nourishment Equation:

Nourishment=(Nutritional and Calorie Absorption−Negative Impacts−Repair Costs)−Purchase Price

  1. Nutritional and Calorie Absorption: This refers to how effectively our bodies can utilize the nutrients and calories from food for our benefit.

  2. Negative Impacts: This includes oxidative damage, which may arise from the types of carbohydrates and fats consumed, as well as their digestibility.

  3. Repair Costs: This encompasses the actual cellular repair processes required when polyunsaturated fat cell membranes are damaged by reactive oxygen species (ROS). The body often needs additional polyunsaturated fats to repair these damaged membranes, which can lead to further nutritional costs.

Example:

The value of GMO food can be expressed as:

Value of GMO Food=(Nutritional and Calorie Absorption−Glyphosate Damage−Repair Costs)−Purchase Price

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Definition of food

Food is any substance that provides essential nutrients and energy necessary for the survival, growth, and reproduction of cells.

What Qualifies as Food

What Is Not Considered Food

Based on this definition, substances that do not meet these criteria would not be classified as food:

    1. Nutritional Support: Food must provide essential nutrients that support the organism's health and well-being. This aligns with definitions stating that food is any substance consumed to sustain life and promote growth.

    2. Origin: Food typically comes from natural sources:

      • Plants: Fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, etc.

      • Animals: Meat, dairy, eggs, fish, etc.

      • Fungi: Mushrooms and other edible fungi.
        This is supported by definitions that specify food is usually of plant, animal, or fungal origin.

    3. Essential Nutrients: Food should contain key nutrients necessary for energy and bodily functions, including:

      • Carbohydrates

      • Fats

      • Proteins

      • Vitamins

      • Minerals
        This is reinforced by sources indicating that food consists of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and other nutrients used in the body.

What is Junk Food

According to major dictionaries, not all editors are experts in nutritional subjects, which can lead to misunderstandings or oversimplifications in the definition of foods. Therefore, we should approach such definitions with caution and critically evaluate the sources of nutritional information.

What Is Not Considered Food

Based on the definition, substances that do not meet these criteria would not be classified as food:

  1. Non-Nutritive Substances: Items like artificial additives or preservatives that do not provide nutritional value.

  2. Inedible Materials: Substances that are toxic or harmful to consume (e.g., certain plants or chemicals).

  3. Non-Organic Matter: Items that do not originate from living organisms (e.g., plastics, metals).

In general, estimated at around 73% ultra-processed in a Amerian supermarket.

The rest of 27% includes:

  1. Non-Organic Foods: This category encompasses conventional fruits, vegetables, grains, meats, and dairy products that may be treated with pesticides or other chemicals.

  2. Products with Preservatives: Many processed foods contain preservatives to extend shelf life and maintain freshness. These can include:

    • Baked goods

    • Snack foods

    • Canned goods

  3. Artificial Flavors and Additives: This group includes items that have artificial flavors, colors, and other additives to enhance taste and appearance. Common examples are:

    • Sugary cereals

    • Soft drinks

    • Processed snacks

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