Hearing the words “processed food” may make you flinch a little, especially if you are one of those health buffs who prefer naturally cooked meals.
On the other hand, food processing is not all that bad or unhealthy as long as technology is used in a good way to process food. Yes, although we have been made the mindset that processed foods are somewhat unhealthy, there are good things that food processing can offer.
Food processing is a wide scope, considering that there are many types of food that involves many types of processing.
Thus, rendering the point that it is generally not good for the health, a moot one. Still, the secret is knowing which ones are good and which ones are not. Here are some of the most important roles of technology in food processing.
Food Safety
Contrary to most beliefs, food processing does not focus only on processing the natural food and taking out the healthy components from it.
One important factor that food processing offers to consumers is the cleanliness and safety of these food products.
Taken directly from the origins, these food products go through a process of quality checks and ensuring that they are clean and ready to eat.
Nutrient boost
There are natural and healthy food products that do not release their healthy nature unless they are processed.
These types of food products need to undergo certain processes, with the help of technology, to enable the active ingredients that are good for the body.
With this type of food processing, we are maximizing the benefits of nutrients that we can get from natural food resources.
In some cases, there are also additional nutrients added to the food to maximize and boost its nutritional benefits.
Food preservation
Without food preservation processes, our food can only last as long as it naturally can.
This can result to more uneaten and thrown food which can badly disrupt the balance of nature, and this can have a bigger negative effect to everyone.
For food preservation, we still use processes that are also done at home such as the use of salt or vinegar.
There are health conditions that need a specific diet to ensure that they stay balanced and healthy – such as coeliacs, diabetics and those with food allergies.
Through food processing, the allergens that trigger these reactions from a person can be removed, thus giving them the ability to process the food without constraint.
Some food products that go through processing can be enhanced in terms of taste and palatability.
From the same viewpoint, motivating children to eat their vegetables will be easier for parents if the food tastes better.
Bottom Line
Food is a basic necessity for all of us, and in some cases, the easier and faster it is to prepare the food, the better. Food processing involves many aspects and has many results that it does not focus on one thing only. But one thing is certain: food processing has given us many options in choosing our daily meals and diet.