With all the different health research involving the healthfulness of fruits and vegetables, you may be wondering if any are actually harmful or unhealthy to eat. In general, unprocessed, organic fruits and vegetables are the healthiest options for you, but variety is key. Variety provides you with important vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and enzymes, plus it prevents you from overeating one particular fruit or vegetable, which could potentially pose health risks.
Processed Fruits and Vegetables
When fruits and vegetables are processed, they go through a series of steps that lessen their healthfulness, starting with cooking them at high temperatures. When you cook most fruits and vegetables at high temperatures, they lose heat-sensitive vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B, folic acid, vitamin C and potassium. Other unhealthy steps of some processed foods are adding artificial colors, flavors and fats, such as, Red No. 40, high-fructose corn syrup or corn sugar, aspartame, sucralose and partially hydrogenated or trans fats. Minimize artificial ingredients if you want a healthy diet. Plus, high fructose corn syrup is shown to be linked to obesity.
Fried Vegetables
Fried vegetables are sometimes served at Japanese restaurants, especially where sushi is served. This type of fried vegetables is called tempura and includes vegetables, such as squash, broccoli and cauliflower, dipped into a batter and deep fried. This cooking process not only kills the vegetables' vitamins, but adds a large amount of oil, which is likely reused if you eat it at restaurants. According to "The Environmental Magazine," when oil is heated, which occurs repeatedly using the same batch of oil at restaurants, its molecules can become unstable. Unstable molecules lead to the creation of free radicals. Free radicals can weaken your immune system and lead to health issues, such as cancer. Try pan-frying vegetables on a seldom occasion in fresh high-temperature oil, such as safflower and sunflower oil, or baking vegetables instead.
Conventional Fruits and Vegetables
Conventional fruits and vegetables are not certified organic and most often use synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and genetically modified organisms. The journal, "Pediatrics" states that pesticides on conventional produce may be responsible for causing ADD and ADHD in children.
Pomegranates with High Blood Pressure Medication
The University of Maryland reports that pomegranate can lower blood pressure, but if you are currently taking heart medication for high blood pressure, it could make the effects of the drugs too strong. Typically, you should drink juices in moderation, because they are high in sugar, although natural and lacking in the fruit's natural fiber, which helps you regulate the amount of sugar you consume. A tip is to add water to juices, but the best option is to eat whole fruits instead.
References
- DoctorOz.com: Artificial Sweeteners and Other Food Substitutes: Dangerous to Your Health?
- "Pediatrics"; Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Urinary Metabolites of Organophosphate Pesticides; Maryse F. Bouchard, Ph.D., et al.; May 17, 2010
- The Environmental Magazine: Oil Right
- University of Maryland: Pomegranates
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