Not long ago, people could only dream of the foods we have today. Tasty, cheap, and ready to eat. They last forever, look great, and come in endless varieties. Ultra-processed foods are a dream come true.
These new foods have achieved their incredible feats thanks to innovations in processing and a long list of additives that grant them superpowers denied to the foods eaten by previous generations.
Some of these additives do important work, like keep food bacteria-free or let it stay safe from spoiling without need for refrigeration. But others change the eating experience and do things like make the food bright red or give it a more satisfying texture.
Additives come in a variety of types. There are preservatives, flavorings, colors, stabilizers, emulsifiers, firming agents, humectants, and more. They have names like "titanium dioxide," "sodium benzoate," and "xanthan gum." And the fact that people are living longer despite most Americans mostly eating ultra-processed foods would seem to indicate their safety...
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