Potato chips, their harm and health benefits. How harmful are chips and can you eat them?

One of the most popular products now, especially among young people, is potato chips. They also lead in the ranking of food unsafe for health. Why? After all, according to most ordinary people, we are just talking about thinly sliced ​​and fried potatoes. The fact is that boiled or baked is a traditional daily dish in many families.

This vegetable itself, of course, is not at all harmful. Moreover, in addition to 75% water, it contains a large number of useful substances: vitamins C, group B and many important microelements (calcium, sodium, potassium, iron, magnesium, etc.). The process of making chips is quite simple: peeled tubers are cut, fried at high (above 100 degrees) temperature, flavoring components are added, packaged - and now bright bags are waiting for the buyer on the store counter. The thing is that potatoes contain a lot of starch - a substance consisting of many simple sugars, including glucose and fructose, which in the human body play the role of a source of energy and determine satiety. When rapidly heated, acrylamide is formed from starch, a known carcinogen and mutagen, whose regular consumption in large quantities causes cancer and other equally serious diseases. Moreover, scientists have found that even a minimal amount of this toxin causes great harm. That's why some European countries introduced restrictions on the acrylamide content not only in chips, but also in crackers, nuts, snacks, corn sticks, ready-made breakfast cereals, the production of which involves rapid heating or frying.

There are other reasons why chips are included in the list of foods harmful to humans. To give a certain spicy taste they add synthetic substances- dyes, flavor enhancers, flavorings, the content of which sometimes exceeds the weight of the potato itself. Regular use Such additives are fraught with the development of allergic reactions and digestive disorders, decreased immunity, destruction of tooth enamel, etc. Besides, reuse vegetable oil for new batches of potatoes also negatively affects health by increasing blood cholesterol levels.

Of course, if you eat chips once, it is unlikely to cause serious damage to your body. But when you eat them every day, you end up with excess calories, salt, and potential carcinogens from frying. Therefore, it is necessary to understand: the diet must have some constant basis that corresponds to the principles healthy eating. Basic postulates balanced menu- this is the variety of products and the presence of vital substances in them. Accordingly, you need to consume a sufficient amount of vegetables and fruits daily, if possible seafood, unrefined vegetable oil, 1.5 - 2 liters drinking still water. And, conversely, limit salt, red meat (beef, pork, lamb) and its “derivatives” - sausage, ham, frankfurters, smoked meats in the diet... Plus follow the path of reducing the daily volume of dishes in terms of quantity and calorie content (that is, not overeat), refuse harmful products(fast food, fried, very spicy food) and give preference to those that contain alimentary fiber(porridge, flour bread coarse). And under no circumstances forget about regular physical activity. Eat right and be healthy!

Vladimir KHRYSCHANOVICH, Doctor of Medical Sciences.

Each of us at least once in our lives wondered why chips are harmful to our health? And even after learning the whole truth about this product, we still cannot refuse this delicacy and continue to eat them. Chips are a mixture of harmful substances such as flavor substitutes, they contain a lot of fat and carbohydrates, and also contain dyes.

Production

Many people think that chips are made exclusively from whole new potatoes, that is, they cut it small pieces, fried and sprinkled with various seasonings. But how deep is this misconception. Manufacturers mainly use corn or potato flour, which also contains an admixture of starch. In addition, the flour used is of low quality. Chips are formed from the dough and fried in the cheapest oil, as to use good oil it is unprofitable and unprofitable for the manufacturer. Now, I hope you understand why chips are harmful. After all, first of all, the manufacturer thinks about his earnings, and not about the quality and benefits of the crispy product.

Chemical composition of chips

Some of the most dangerous substances found in chips are undoubtedly acrylamide and glycidamide. They can cause cancer, cause great harm nervous system, as well as human genes. Crispy potatoes contain monosodium glutamate, which also negatively affects the human body. It is addictive to the product, and also, according to some independent studies, causes lethargy, drowsiness, increased heart rate, nausea and even vomiting. Adding monosodium glutamate to food causes our appetite; without it, all food seems fresh and tasteless. It also includes trans isomers of fatty substances, which are also harmful to us. Firstly, they are difficult for our body to digest, overuse they lead to heart attack, atherosclerosis and other diseases. Salt is another dangerous ingredients crispy potatoes. Its excess increases water consumption, which in turn has a bad effect on cardiovascular activity and also contributes to obesity. Having learned this composition, we now need to understand why chips are harmful to health.

Harmful snack

Children especially love to crunch potato slices. You cannot explain to a child why chips are harmful, one might even say dangerous. By overusing this delicacy, a child may develop a hidden form of allergy, as well as obesity or even diabetes, problems with the digestive system may appear, which is very detrimental to a young and growing body. Therefore, every parent should think about whether it is worth risking the health of their child.

Crackers - harm or benefit

Now we will find out why chips and crackers are harmful. Crackers are second-baked bakery product, to which a lot of different flavoring additives are added. That is why we currently have such a variety of product flavors: with cheese, bacon, mushrooms, jellied meat and horseradish, pizza, tomato and herbs, ham and cheese and many others. They also contain many carcinogens, which is why stomach problems arise, such as heartburn and gastritis. Crackers contain a large amount of salt, which is unsafe for of cardio-vascular system person. Therefore, it is not recommended to abuse them.

Kirieshki: all the pros and cons

Kirieshki are very popular, especially among young people. But is it worth getting carried away with them? Nutritionists say a categorical no, because the manufacturer, chasing profit, does not always think about why chips and kirieshki are harmful to health. Obesity, diabetes, stomach problems, metabolic disorders - these are the consequences that can arise from frequent consumption of kirieshi. Unlike adults, children and teenagers cannot appreciate the full danger of eating this delicacy, because for them everything is divided into whether it is tasty or not. Therefore, adults must explain why chips and kirieshki are so harmful and dangerous for health.

Is it possible to have chips during pregnancy?

Pregnancy is the most wonderful time in a woman's life. At this time, ladies often change their taste preferences; they really want all sorts of harmful things, such as chips and crackers. Is it possible to eat chips and crackers during pregnancy? Is this dangerous for their health? Probably dangerous, because they contain a very harmful substance - acrylamide, which can get into the DNA of the fetus and cause great damage to it, slowing down its intrauterine development. In addition, there are many other substances in chips and crackers that have a bad effect on both mother and child. Therefore, during pregnancy it is better to refrain from consuming this product. But if you can’t bear it and really want chips, then slice it thinly and fry it homemade potatoes in a small amount of oil, without adding salt and artificial spices. Such crispy potatoes will not be so harmful for expectant mothers.

One of the most dangerous products

Let's look at how harmful chips and crackers are. Fats, carbohydrates, flavorings, dyes - here classic composition chips, as well as a large number of various carcinogens that provoke the development of cancer, impair memory and attention, reduce the amount of testosterone, disrupt metabolism in the body, and increase the risk of developing diabetes mellitus, gastritis and even stomach ulcers. Chips generally do not contain natural potatoes. Most often they are prepared from yeast-free dough with addition corn starch and various spices.

Scientists conducted experiments on rats that were fed exclusively with chips and crackers, and on the twentieth day, one after another, the rats began to die, after they had previously become deaf and bald. An autopsy examination revealed serious digestive disorders, as well as cirrhosis of the liver and retinal disorders. In addition, the creator of the chips, George Crum, never ate his invention and lived to be 92 years old. Therefore, once again it is worth thinking about the dangers of this product. We must understand that constant snacking on chips and crackers negatively affects our overall health.

Proper nutrition is the key to a healthy lifestyle

By eating a complete and balanced diet, you will only benefit yourself and saturate your body. useful minerals and vitamins, nutrients. A person who leads a healthy lifestyle, eats right, has a good metabolism, and does not suffer from diseases gastrointestinal tract, has no problems with overweight, he is active and cheerful. You will always have great mood and great health. In addition, in any situation you will feel great.

We hope that after reading this article, you understand why chips are harmful to children and adults, and you can refuse them or reduce their consumption to a minimum. Sports and proper nutrition- this is the key to success! Do you still want to buy a pack of crunchy treats?

Chips are considered one of the most popular products among young people, while they invariably take first place in ratings of products harmful to human health. What is the reason for such high demand combined with low nutritional qualities this product?

It is well known that the production of most types of chips is based on ordinary potatoes. It can be prepared in two ways: by slicing the peeled tubers and then heat treatment or making crackers from potato powder. This vegetable itself is not only not harmful, but also healthy: it contains vitamins, , , , , , as well as calcium, iron, magnesium, sodium and phosphorus. The majority is water - up to 75 percent. Potatoes are one of the most available products, it can be purchased at any time, is easy to store and does not need special processing.

It is not surprising that the production of chips is such a profitable business: the raw materials cost a penny and can be stored for a long time without maintenance. special conditions, the process itself is extremely simple and does not require expensive equipment: cutting - heating to high temperature - flavoring additives - packaging - and now the bags of chips are on the counter.

At first glance, it seems that chips cannot contain anything harmful to the body, because in essence they are the same product as boiled potatoes, which many families cook almost every day. However, everything is not so simple: potato tubers contain a large amount of starch - a substance that is converted into glucose in the body, which makes the product satiating. When rapidly heated during the production of starch chips, acrylamide, which is a very dangerous carcinogen, regular consumption of which in large quantities leads to cancer. This substance is especially dangerous for women - because under its influence, tumors arise specifically in the female genital organs: the uterus and ovaries.

Acrylamide attracted the attention of scientists only recently, but the results of the experiments (they were carried out on rats) made a great impression and made them think: many European countries began to introduce restrictions on the content of this substance in products, which applies not only to chips, but also to nuts, crackers and other products , which is produced using rapid heating and frying.

Unfortunately, there are other reasons why chips are harmful to the body: to save money, the manufacturer often uses the same oil for new batches of potatoes, this gives it a bitter taste and negatively affects human health by increasing cholesterol in the blood.

But that’s not all: to give certain taste qualities an amount of industrial chemicals is added to chips, sometimes exceeding the weight of the potato itself: these are dyes, flavor enhancers, and flavors identical to natural ones. Most of them are allowed food examinations, however, when checking the percentage, the fact is not taken into account that consumers, especially young people, use them as food regularly, which leads to dire consequences: digestive disorders and, as a consequence, metabolism, allergies, and decreased immunity. In addition, these substances affect tooth enamel, destroying it; microscopic particles remain on the surface of the esophagus, causing unpleasant odor from the mouth, which many unsuccessfully try to fight with chewing gum and sprays.

Statistics on adolescent diseases show that neglect of nutrition affects the health of young people: the age of people suffering from severe or chronic forms of illness digestive system is growing all the time: excessive consumption of products with big amount dyes and flavors brings children from 14 to 15 years of age into this group, although earlier severe forms were rare in people under 30 years of age. But an unhealthy digestive system cannot function normally, which affects other vital organs: the liver, heart, blood vessels, nerves; without normal, nutritious nutrition, a person becomes lethargic, gets tired more often and is susceptible to depression: whole life changes rapidly.

What can you do to avoid these problems? Is it really possible to give up chips or nuts and crackers forever? Of course, you shouldn’t take such a radical approach to the matter, and for many this is not feasible: after all, it is not always possible to otherwise refresh yourself at work or during breaks between school hours. However, it must be remembered that the cause of diseases is primarily regular consumption: once or twice is not scary, but several times a day has irreversible consequences. In addition, do not forget about the label - sometimes it’s enough to read the ingredients of the product to refuse another pack of chips, take an apple with you for breakfast instead of nuts, and croutons can be quickly and easily prepared at home.

When the first chips appeared in America in the fifties of the 19th century, their benefits or harm were not yet discussed. It was simply thinly sliced ​​potatoes and fried in oil and spices, which subsequently gained enormous popularity throughout the world. But time passed, technologies changed. Chips began to be produced from puree, corn flour, to which starch, all kinds of flavorings, additives and preservatives were added.

Popular product More and more enterprises began to enter production. We wanted to make technology cheaper, so everything was used, especially one that could improve the taste of anyone, even the most bad food. In addition, it causes addiction in people who consume it. This is how the composition and structure of everyone’s favorite product called chips changed. The benefits or harm from it have already become the subject of study by entire groups of scientists around the world.

The situation has begun to worsen due to the fact that today, in the production of chips, high-quality and pure oil is replaced by cheap one. In addition, it rarely changes during the preparation of the product (in order to save money). As a result, carcinogens accumulate. This is another disadvantage of eating such a beloved product as chips. Benefit or harm - if you weigh these indicators, then the scales are clearly tilted towards harm. In addition, acrylamides formed in the product during processing high temperatures, they talk even more about the harmfulness of chips to the body.

But don’t delude yourself into thinking that if you give up this product, you can safely eat the rest. The harm of chips is half the problem. There are also crackers, no less loved by those who like to use this product with beer, and besides, children crunch on them with frightening consistency. All this should especially alert parents, because the health of children directly depends on what they eat.

The problem is that children love crackers and chips. Benefit or harm is an abstract concept for them. For them, the main criterion is delicious. And manufacturers are trying to add as many additives as possible to these products, which will ensure the desire to eat them again and again. These products are no less harmful for female body. Scientists believe that those women who consume one pack of crackers a day have twice the risk of developing cancer than those who do not eat them at all.

Scientists began sounding the alarm several years ago, having discovered the dangers of chips and crackers. IN modern design they contain too much fat, salt, preservatives, leavening agents, flavorings and other “useful” substances. No vitamins or anything else needed by the body There are no ingredients at all. Parents should explain to their children how much these products can undermine their health and try to replace all this with healthy foods nutrition.

But since a simple ban cannot save children from this chip addiction, one of the Dnipropetrovsk teachers decided to experiment. Tired of proving to her charges that they were ruining their health by consuming these products in immeasurable quantities, she did the following. I just put four cages with rats in the classroom. And she began to feed them in front of all the children with their favorite foods. Some received chips, others crackers, others were given monosodium glutamate in their food, and the animals from the fourth cage were fed only healthy food. They were given grains, fruits and vegetables.

As a result, the children could clearly see what happened to their charges. It seems that after the experiment, many of them gave up both chips and crackers. What he saw stuck in his brain for a long time - cirrhosis of the liver, hair loss, digestion and death of the animals. And although many adults did not share the “barbaric” methods of the Dnepropetrovsk teacher, the fact is clear: the children seriously realized the harmfulness of these products and saw with their own eyes the results of their use.

Together with sweet carbonated drinks, chips deservedly share the first place in the ranking of the most harmful for human body products. Are you concerned about your health and want to know more about chips than is currently known? It is advisable to understand why chips are so harmful for consumers at any age.

Composition of the product

Familiarization with the composition will help you understand the negative aspects of the product in question. It’s worth saying right away that minerals and vitamins are not contained at all in the delicacy beloved by many people, and it is unlikely that you will be able to find anything useful in the composition. Manufacturers cleverly use chemistry to deceive the taste sensations of consumers who experience pleasant emotions from consuming the product.

Modern entrepreneurs most often do not think about possible consequences eating chips using potato flour as a base for making. Also manufacturing process allows the use of starch or a mixture prepared on the basis of this component. The main component is often wheat or corn flour. Often the starch used is genetically modified product, derived from soybeans. When starch enters the human body, it breaks down into glucose and other harmful substances. The composition of the chips contains a complex of harmful components:

• Modified potato starch
• Corn starch
• Unrefined oils
• Palm oil
• Preservatives
• Flavorings, flavor enhancers (glutamates)

Acrylamide is another extremely dangerous carcinogen found in chips. This element is often formed as a result of excessive heating of the pan or the wrong choice of oil for frying food.

Video: How are chips made? The whole truth about the dangers of chips! Composition of chips

Why are chips harmful?

Obesity is inevitable if you overuse fast food, and saving precious time is not a justifiable argument when deciding to snack on chips. Frequent use The frequency is considered to be 2-3 times a week. Having become addicted to a harmful product, you must understand that all the unhealthy substances from which the product is made are gradually deposited in the liver, leading to the formation of excess weight. It is unlikely that you will want to get extra pounds in the waist area.

Hydrogenated fat causes great harm to the body, contributing to the accumulation of “bad” cholesterol. The formation of a substance in the body can result in the development of serious diseases - atherosclerosis, thrombophlebitis, etc. A substance called glycidamide was found in chips. The component causes cancer and destroys DNA. Consumption of the product is fraught with gastritis, heartburn, allergic reactions, as well as interruptions in bowel function. Unpleasant consequences of using the product include:

• Increased risk of developing diabetes
• Increased blood cholesterol levels
• Metabolic disease
• Obesity
• Increased risk of developing cancer
• Decreased testosterone levels
• Deterioration of the reproductive functions of the body
• The likelihood of developing gastritis, ulcers and disorders of the gastrointestinal tract
• Deterioration of mental performance
• Changes in blood composition

Eating chips has a ton negative aspects for human health, and therefore it is extremely undesirable to neglect the advice of doctors and put tests on the body! Play sports, lead an active lifestyle and don’t think about junk food.

Doctors strongly advise against eating this product people with intestinal and stomach diseases, those who are overweight, and those with metabolic problems. If you have problems with high blood sugar, using chips as food is strongly discouraged. It is also unacceptable to buy a pack of fried treats for people with increased level cholesterol in the blood, cancer.

Important! It is strictly contraindicated for children under 12 years of age to consume chips, since the product has Negative influence on vital functions of the body.

And if there are no health problems, literally poisoning your body with a harmful product is extremely undesirable! Even infrequent use fried product may cause unpleasant consequences. To some extent, seasonal vegetables will help neutralize the harmful effects of chips on the body. This way you will be able to absorb the product with less harm. The right decision would be to completely refuse to purchase the product in question and replace it with natural vegetables.

Advice: if it is difficult for you to completely give up chips, prepare the product yourself, at home. It is unlikely that it will be possible to achieve taste qualities similar to the industrial product, but Negative consequences for health will be minimal.

Impact on the athlete's body

Testosterone levels are very important for a man. For a professional athlete, health care comes first. This is why people who live by sports give up alcohol, smoking and fast food. Chips disrupt metabolism, dull the natural functions of the body, negatively affect the functioning of the kidneys and liver, stomach and the entire digestive system. All these unpleasant aspects of consuming fried foods are extremely undesirable for professional athletes. Moreover, cholesterol levels increase significantly in those people who are attracted to fast food. After training, physical exercise It is much healthier to drink kefir or yogurt.

Not a children's product

Understanding parents will not buy chips for their beloved child. For the child’s body, the products in question are especially harmful and extremely undesirable. It will be better if the child does not know about the existence of this product at all. If you don’t listen to doctors’ recommendations, you run the risk of getting the following consequences:

• Allergic reactions
• Decreased appetite
• Obesity
• Gastrointestinal irritations
• Violations of the natural functions of the liver and kidneys due to high content sodium, food additives and salt

The high carbohydrate and fat content makes the product excessively high in calories. Often, when frying chips, a cheap oil substitute is used - margarine, which results in the formation of fats that increase the risk cancer diseases. The high percentage of salt contained in chips negatively affects the growth of a child’s bones. Excessive amounts of salt disrupt metabolism, cause swelling and problems with the functioning of the heart. Allergies are a consequence of the entry of dyes and flavors into the children's body. If you are not an enemy to the health of your beloved child, completely refuse to purchase the product.

The most harmful chips

All kinds of chips pose a danger to the human body due to their harmful composition, but there is a category of fried products that are the most harmful. This includes thin and crispy chips that fry in no more than 20 seconds. Often technological rule not complied with.

Important! Adding chips to beer increases the harmful effects significantly, so beer lovers foamy drink It's worth giving up the habit.

The large amount of salt contained in the product appeals to beer lovers. Excessive salt in the blood negatively affects development muscular system, bone growth, promotes cardiovascular development vascular diseases. Salty chips disrupt the body's metabolism, affecting digestive processes and disrupting the usual rhythm. The smallest amount of carcinogens among the variety of the product under consideration is contained in the so-called air chips.

Industrial chips are a product consisting of harmful components and are contraindicated for consumption at any age. If you want to feel the taste natural chips, prepare them at home using potatoes and quality oil. Supplement the prepared product with fresh seasonal vegetables, which will significantly improve the absorption of chips.