Skip to main content

the value of good health

  Introduction Good health is often considered one of life's greatest assets. It is not merely the absence of diseases but a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. In today's fast-paced world, maintaining good health is paramount to leading a fulfilling and productive life. This comprehensive guide explores the various aspects and benefits of good health, providing valuable insights into its value and the steps you can take to achieve and maintain it. Physical Health Regular Exercise: Engaging in regular physical activity is essential for good health . Exercise strengthens muscles, improves cardiovascular health, enhances flexibility, and boosts overall energy levels. Aim for at least 150 minutes of restrained-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week, along with muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days a week. Balanced Nutrition: A well-balanced diet provides you...

4-stage food according to the degree of processing

4-stage food according to the degree of processing

Many dietary recommendations are based on considering energy and nutrient contents or nutrient relations in food. Only slowly is the focus on aspects such as food quality and processing. It is outstanding, amongst other things, that there are no uniform definitions for differently processed foods across the EU. A Brazilian working group developed a 4-stage system that considers the degree of processing and can serve as a basis for scientific studies and consumption recommendations derived from it.  

Definitions and assessment options

We fundamentally differentiate between natural or unprocessed and processed or processed foods. So far, however, there is no uniform definition for this. While the term "unprocessed" is understood well and equally by many people, the term "natural" leads to far more differentiated interpretations. Can vegetable oils, bread, or flour still be assigned to natural foods? How about natural yogurt and quark?According to the following definition, the examples mentioned are given to processed foods.

Natural foods

Natural foods are largely unprocessed and untreated. They are also known as fresh foods.

Processed foods

Processed foods are industrially processed. The scope of the processing can be very different.

The definition plays a significant role in the recommendations for consumption derived from it. In addition to the request to consume more low-energy and nutrient-rich foods, it is also often recommended to increase the proportion of unprocessed and fresh products and to reduce the number of processed products. Many of our recommendations go in this direction. However, for a varied and practicable diet, this cannot be implemented equally well for all foods/groups and repeatedly leads to questions and discussions. 

The inadequate definition and delimitation of foods with different processing degrees also create difficulties in science. On the one hand, few studies even deal with processed food's influence on people and their health. On the other hand, the few current studies are hardly comparable, as different definitions and characteristics were used for processed food.

Convenience products

Most of the existing studies examined the influence of convenience products on energy and nutrient intake. It is understood to mean technically processed or manufactured products [ Lexicon of Nutrition ] in which processing and preparation steps have already been taken over for the consumer. These are usually partially or ready-to-eat and only make up part of the processed food. Some of the studies are structured differently and do not come to any comparable results.

Use of additives

Other research has put additives as a criterion for processed foods. Use is regulated across the EU; related products are clearly labeled. The purest result: the intake of additives is significantly higher with frequent consumption of finished products than with predominantly fresh, unprocessed food. Not surprisingly, then.

Out-of-home consumption

In a few studies, out-of-home consumption was used as a benchmark for processed food consumption. Although this definition can probably be questioned the most, quite comparable results have emerged here. Accordingly, frequent out-of-home consumption goes hand in hand with:

·        a higher total energy input

·        a higher total intake of fat

·        a higher total intake of sodium and

·        a lower intake of nutrient-rich foodsMany dietary recommendations are based on considering energy and nutrient contents or nutrient relations in food. Only slowly is the focus on aspects such as food quality and processing. It is outstanding, amongst other things, that there are no uniform definitions for differently processed foods across the EU. A Brazilian working group developed a 4-stage system that considers the degree of processing and can serve as a basis for scientific studies and consumption recommendations derived from it.

Definitions and assessment options

We fundamentally differentiate between natural or unprocessed and processed or processed foods. So far, however, there is no uniform definition for this. While the term "unprocessed" is understood well and equally by many people, the term "natural" leads to far more differentiated interpretations. Can vegetable oils, bread, or flour still be assigned to natural foods? How about natural yogurt and quark? According to the following definition, the examples mentioned are given to processed foods.

Natural foods

Natural foods are largely unprocessed and untreated. They are also known as fresh foods.

Processed foods

Processed foods are industrially processed. The scope of the processing can be very different.

The definition plays a significant role in the recommendations for consumption derived from it. In addition to the request to consume more low-energy and nutrient-rich foods, it is also often recommended to increase the proportion of unprocessed and fresh products and to reduce the number of processed products. Many of our recommendations go in this direction. However, for a varied and practicable diet, this cannot be implemented equally well for all foods/groups and repeatedly leads to questions and discussions.

The inadequate definition and delimitation of foods with different processing degrees also create difficulties in science. On the one hand, few studies even deal with processed food's influence on people and their health. On the other hand, the few current studies are hardly comparable, as different definitions and characteristics were used for processed food.

Convenience products

Most of the existing studies examined the influence of convenience products on energy and nutrient intake. It is understood to mean technically processed or manufactured products [ Lexicon of Nutrition ] in which processing and preparation steps have already been taken over for the consumer. These are usually partially or ready-to-eat and only makeup part of the processed food. Some of the studies are structured differently and do not come to any comparable results.

Use of additives

Other research has put additives as a criterion for processed foods. Use is regulated across the EU; related products are clearly labeled. The purest result: the intake of additives is significantly higher with frequent consumption of finished products than with predominantly fresh, unprocessed food. Not surprisingly, then.  

Out-of-home consumption

In a few studies, out-of-home consumption was used as a benchmark for processed food consumption. Although this definition can probably be questioned the most, quite comparable results have emerged here. Accordingly, frequent out-of-home consumption goes hand in hand with:

·        a higher total energy input

·        a higher total intake of fat

·        a higher total intake of sodium and

·        a lower intake of nutrient-rich foods


Popular posts from this blog

coffee and caffeine effects on health

Coffee or caffeine has numerous effects on the human body. The following article shows the physiological effects, effects depending on the phase of life or lifestyle, interactions with nutrients and drugs, and observed results in various diseases. Physiological effects of the alkaloid caffeine General health As in most cases, whether coffee has a positive or negative effect on health depends on the dose. In excessively high doses, the alkaloid caffeine can lead to fear, restlessness, nervousness, irritability, or even insomnia. Scientific studies indicate a threshold of around 1.2 g per day. In the long term, consuming 2-5 cups of coffee a day can positively affect mortality. This was slightly reduced in studies. The combination of caffeine and alcohol has a negative effect. Cardiovascular disorders, as well as psychological and neurological complications, are documented here. Cardiovascular system Caffeine speeds up the heart, metabolism, and breathing. Blood pressure and...

what is the new definition of health?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has redefined health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absenteeism of disease or infirmity. This definition was adopted in 1948 and has been widely accepted by the global health community. The new definition of health reflects the growing understanding that health is not just about the absence of disease, but also about the attendance of positive factors that contribute to well-being. These factors include social and economic factors, as well as individual factors such as mental health and physical activity. The new definition of health has important implications for public health policy. It suggests that the focus of public health should be on promoting positive health, not just preventing disease. This means investing in factors that contribute to well-being, such as education, housing, and employment. The new definition of health is also important for individuals. It suggests that we should thin...

what is the history of yoga?

Yoga has a rich and historical history that dates again over five,000 years. It originated within the Indus Valley civilization, with early mentions in the Vedas, ancient Indian texts. The exercise evolved over centuries, with tremendous contributions from diverse yoga masters and traditions. One of the most influential texts in yoga philosophy is Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, believed to had been written round 200 BCE. These sutras provide a systematic manual to yoga practice, outlining the Eight Limbs of Yoga and emphasizing the significance of meditation and self-attention. Yoga persevered to conform, with different schools and traditions emerging, including Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and extra. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, yoga won interest in the West, thanks in element to influential figures like Swami Vivekananda and Paramahansa Yogananda. Today, yoga has become a global phenomenon, with tens of millions of practitioners internationa...