Myth: Canned food is harmful

Canned foods are often considered less healthy than fresh and frozen foods, but they are a good source of nutrients and have similar nutritional value to frozen foods. But this does not mean that canned food is necessary for a healthy diet.

What dangers do canned food pose?

The attention of scientists is concerned with two “poisons” known to everyone – salt and sugar. 100 grams of canned fish or meat can contain a third of the daily dose of salt, 100 grams of fruit in syrup – 2 tablespoons of sugar.

Regular consumption of canned foods can lead to excess salt and sugar in the body, which increases the risk of developing hypertension, obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

To reduce this risk, it is recommended to choose canned foods with no added salt or low sodium content. It is also useful to rinse the product or drain off excess juice to reduce the amount of salt. Fruits canned in their own juice are healthier because the syrup contains additional sugar.

Myth: Processed meat is healthy

Processed meat products, such as bacon, sausages, frankfurters and canned meat, make up a significant share of fat in the diet of Russian residents, accounting for 26% of total food consumption.

According to the World Health Organization, processed meat is classified as a “human carcinogen” because its consumption is associated with an increased risk of developing colon, stomach and breast cancer.

Research has found that there is a direct link between the consumption of processed red meat and blood pressure levels, due to the high salt content used as a flavoring and preservative.

Also concerning is the use of sodium nitrate as a preservative, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Nutrition experts advocate the need to limit consumption of processed meat and switch to more moderate consumption of fresh meat. They note that one of the healthiest diets is the Mediterranean diet. This nutritional plan is rich in fruits, vegetables, seafood, olive oil, nuts and whole grains to promote overall well-being and health.

Myth: MSG is harmful

Monosodium glutamate, also known as food additive E621, acts as a flavor enhancer and is widely used in foods. It is a salt of glutamic acid that is naturally present in protein foods such as meat, mushrooms and dairy products. Particularly high levels of monosodium glutamate are observed in ripe tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, meat broths and breast milk.

In addition to the already known four tastes – sweet, salty, sour and bitter, we also have receptors that recognize glutamate and its salts. This gives us the opportunity to experience the fifth taste – umami. Umami is an indicator of protein food, telling our body about the high protein content in the product. This is why we value foods high in MSG so much.