There are many foods and beverages believed to be healthy that may actually be harmful to health. The confusion is mostly thanks to some savvy but unscrupulous marketers trying to dupe consumers about their junk food or processed food options. Here are seven so-called “health foods” that aren’t:
Whole wheat bread—Most whole wheat products are actually made from refined white flour with a tiny amount of whole grain wheat added along with molasses or artificial colors to make the bread appear darker. Few breads labelled “whole wheat” are made from 100% whole wheat. Even worse, most wheat is now genetically-modified (GM). Many health issues have been linked to GM foods so it is best to stay clear of them if possible.
Multigrain bread—Similar to “whole wheat,” “multigrain” bread is usually just white flour with a handful of whole grains tossed in to give the bread a more natural, rustic look. And if you know much about white bread then you know it causes wild blood sugar fluctuations similar to sugary foods. Blood sugar rollercoasters are linked with weight gain, mood swings and energy crashes.
Milk—While dairy bureaus will argue otherwise (of course they will—they have a financial interest in making people think dairy is healthy), milk is not a health food. Research shows that the countries whose citizens consume the most dairy products have the HIGHEST incidence of osteoporosis. Milk nowadays is full of hormones and antibiotics and is actually playing a huge role in the ability of bacteria to become antibiotic-resistant. It’s also linked to diseases like pain disorders and arthritis. In one study on rabbits, scientist Richard Panush was able to PRODUCE inflamed joints in the animals by switching their water to milk. In another study, scientists observed more than a 50% reduction in the pain and swelling of arthritis when participants eliminated milk and dairy products from their diet.
Energy Drinks—Most of the so-called “energy drinks” and “sports drinks” are full of artificial colors, caffeine and sugar. In small amounts caffeine might not be too bad but in the quantities most energy drinks are consumed, caffeine can cause heart palpitations, anxiety and over time deplete the body’s adrenal glands a.k.a. the “stress glands.” As for artificial colors and high doses of sugar—neither have a role in a beverage with a name that implies health, energy or sports.
Whole wheat bread—Most whole wheat products are actually made from refined white flour with a tiny amount of whole grain wheat added along with molasses or artificial colors to make the bread appear darker. Few breads labelled “whole wheat” are made from 100% whole wheat. Even worse, most wheat is now genetically-modified (GM). Many health issues have been linked to GM foods so it is best to stay clear of them if possible.
Multigrain bread—Similar to “whole wheat,” “multigrain” bread is usually just white flour with a handful of whole grains tossed in to give the bread a more natural, rustic look. And if you know much about white bread then you know it causes wild blood sugar fluctuations similar to sugary foods. Blood sugar rollercoasters are linked with weight gain, mood swings and energy crashes.
Milk—While dairy bureaus will argue otherwise (of course they will—they have a financial interest in making people think dairy is healthy), milk is not a health food. Research shows that the countries whose citizens consume the most dairy products have the HIGHEST incidence of osteoporosis. Milk nowadays is full of hormones and antibiotics and is actually playing a huge role in the ability of bacteria to become antibiotic-resistant. It’s also linked to diseases like pain disorders and arthritis. In one study on rabbits, scientist Richard Panush was able to PRODUCE inflamed joints in the animals by switching their water to milk. In another study, scientists observed more than a 50% reduction in the pain and swelling of arthritis when participants eliminated milk and dairy products from their diet.
Energy Drinks—Most of the so-called “energy drinks” and “sports drinks” are full of artificial colors, caffeine and sugar. In small amounts caffeine might not be too bad but in the quantities most energy drinks are consumed, caffeine can cause heart palpitations, anxiety and over time deplete the body’s adrenal glands a.k.a. the “stress glands.” As for artificial colors and high doses of sugar—neither have a role in a beverage with a name that implies health, energy or sports.