Ready-to-eat, premixed, packed food— these are all different names that we assign to processed food. And let me tell you something: in today’s fast-paced world, where convenience is the king, these are a rather popular option.
But have you ever wondered how processed meals are destroying your gut health?
Yes, you read that right. And even though we all know that this is a scary truth, we tend to turn a blind eye to it. After all, all of us are looking for ways (big or small) to save time.
You see, these processed foods are high in preservatives. They have artificial additives, high levels of sodium, and low fiber. And all of these things can disrupt your digestive system.
In this blog post, Dr. Deepanshu Khanna, Gastroenterologist in Gurgaon at Miracles Healthcare, explains why these meals can negatively affect your gut health and what you can do to maintain a healthy digestive system.
So, if that is what you want to know, keep reading till the end…
How Processed Meals Are Destroying Your Health
There are several ways in which processed meals and food items can damage your gut health. Even though they are a convenient option for most of us, these food items damage our bodies in several ways.
“But how?”
Let me tell you! Here are a few things that you MUST keep in mind:
Lack of Fiber
Your gut thrives on dietary fiber, which is found in fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. Fiber helps in digestion by promoting healthy gut bacteria and regular bowel movements.
Most ready-to-eat meals are highly processed and stripped of fiber, leading to constipation, bloating, and an unhealthy gut microbiome. Without enough fiber, harmful bacteria can take over, leading to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other digestive disorders.
High in Preservatives and Artificial Additives
To increase shelf life, RTE meals are loaded with preservatives, artificial colors, and flavor enhancers. These chemicals can disturb the balance of good bacteria in your gut, leading to inflammation, digestive discomfort, and weakened immunity.
Dr. Deepanshu Khanna warns, “Many of these preservatives can cause long-term damage to your gut lining, increasing the risk of leaky gut syndrome, food intolerances, and chronic inflammation.”
Excessive Sodium Content
Salt is a basic product for meal processing that serves both to give the food an original taste and to extend the shelf life. On the other hand, a high amount of sodium can potentially cause disturbances and diseases of your gut.
This includes:
- Changes in microbiota composition
- Increased potential for developing high blood pressure (Hypertension) and heart diseases
- The occurrence of dehydration that, in turn, may lead to constipation and digestive problems
- A diet high in sodium is directly related to bloating and acid reflux which, consequently, disrupts your digestion.
Harmful Fats and Low Nutrient Value
The absolute majority of mixed, and fully ready to consume dishes are generally inclusive in that they contain unhealthy fats, such as the trans fats and the refined vegetable oils, which can cause inflammation in the gut.
These meals are also low in essential vitamins and minerals, and therefore, your body won’t have the nutritional components necessary for good digestion.
What does consuming processed fat in the diet do? Here are the consequences you need to know:
- Much more redness of the guts
- The recording of higher obesity and metabolic disorders
- There is more probability of discomfort in your stomach and GI tract.
Sugar and Artificial Sweeteners
Third, we all know that processed products contain hidden sugars and sweeteners of artificial origin, such as aspartame and sucralose.
Such sweeteners tend to get into a state of disorder the gut bacteria and provoke bloating, gas, and cramping.
And the sugars and sweeteners do not pass unnoticed in the digestive system, they pollute the intestine, a fact that leads to a proliferation of bad microbes at the expense of the good ones and hence to a surge of diabetes, arthritis and chronic fatigue.
The worst thing is that in that state, your immune system will not recognize the health issues you are suffering from, and the situation will gradually harm you.
That much sugar affects your gut in the following ways:
- Explosive growth of harmful bacteria and yeast
- Causes openings and leaks in the lining of the small intestine
- Increases the risk of acquiring insulin resistance and getting diabetes.
Reduced Probiotic and Prebiotic Intake
Probiotics (good bacteria) and prebiotics (food for good bacteria) are important for a healthy gut. For instance, fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, and kefir help balance the gut microbiome.
However, RTE meals lack these beneficial components. This can lead to an imbalance in gut bacteria, which can cause digestive issues and weaken the immune system.
How to Protect Your Gut Health?
According to Dr. Deepanshu Khanna, the best way to have and keep a healthy gut and not eat RTE and pre-mixed meals is:
- Try Home-Cooked Fresh and Whole Foods: Preparing meals at home with vegetables as well as whole grains and lean protein sources will not only help you get enough nutrients and also maintain a well-balanced diet but also you will get enough fiber.
- Read Nutrition Labels Carefully: Look for artificial preservatives, excessive table salt, and sugars in frozen and canned foods. The fewer the additives, the more likely the product is to be healthy.
- Consume More Probiotics: To ensure that your gut microbiome is well nourished, eat more fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and miso.
- Keep Yourself Well Hydrated: Water and herbal teas that assist digestion and relieve constipation are the best fluids to consume in large amounts.
- Do Not Overeat on Processed and Fast Foods: Whenever you can, you should always opt for home-made dishes and just try to consume fewer packed meals in the long term.
Additionally, in case you have quite frequent symptoms like bloating, constipation, acidity, or any other kind of stomach issues that really bother you, it is better to immediately visit a medical professional.
You must find a good Gastroenterologist around your place who can help you to get a correct diagnosis and will manage your gut issues effectively.
Why Choose Miracles Healthcare for Your Gut Health?
Miracles Healthcare offers advanced diagnostic and treatment options to ensure the best care for your digestive health:
Non-Invasive Colonic Transit Time for Chronic Constipation:
Firstly, this innovative, non-invasive method can help to determine the time it takes for food to go through the large intestine for diagnosing and treating constipation without the need for any unpleasant procedures.
Breath Test for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) and Lactose Intolerance
This straightforward and not complicated in any way test makes it possible to identify out-of-kilter gut conditions, e.g., bacterial overgrowth and or lactose intolerance with associated bloating, diarrhea, and digestive discomfort.
Fibroscan for Fatty Liver and Fibrosis Damage
A portable, and a painless ultrasound-based test that can help in determining the presence of fatty liver and possible development of fibrosis (liver scarring) thus enabling patients to undergo treatments and prevent further liver conditions.
Food Antibody Testing for Intolerance
This is a testing method that shows up food sensitivities and intolerances, thus giving a clue about which dietary products might be responsible for digestive symptoms, bloating, or inflammation.
Non-Invasive Testing for H. Pylori
H. Pylori is a type of bacteria that infects the stomach causing stomach ulcers, and digestive discomfort. Non-invasive methods are the gold standard of testing at Miracles Healthcare.
Capsule Endoscopy for Small Bowel Bleed
Ingesting a small capsule with a miniature camera that snaps pictures of the gastrointestinal tract is both a seamless and non-surgical procedure to identify and diagnose in-gut bleeding and other bowel maladies.
Esophageal and Anorectal Manometry for Motility Disorders
These tests are useful not only to diagnose but can also define swallowing problems (esophagus function) and any muscle control issues (anorectal malfunctions) leading to therapy voice option and incontinence.
Intragastric Balloon for Weight Loss
Finally, it is a non-surgical weight loss method where a balloon is inserted into the stomach to help with portion control and appetite which aids in successful weight loss that is good for health.
Maximal diagnostic equipment and treatments aimed at the best and most advanced patients’ care in the area of the digestive tract constitute the best combination in getting all health benefits.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, pre-prepared and ready-to-eat meals may be convenient, but their adverse effects on gut health can be grave.
That is why eating processed foods can destroy gut bacteria, trigger inflammation, and ultimately cause chronic digestion-related issues.
Choosing better food options, increasing fiber intake, and consulting with a specialist will bring about better digestion and overall wellness.
For expert consultation, including gut health and disorders, and personalized diet consultation, please book an appointment with one of the best gastroenterology doctors near you at Miracles Healthcare.
