Proof: We Need to Avoid Processed Foods

This 4 minute video documents the first ever clinical trial to look at  impact of processed food vs. whole food on the human body.  Artist Stefani Bardin, TEDxManhattan 2011 Fellow and Dr. Braden Kuo at Harvard University performed this study using the M2A™ and SmartPill devices that look at how the human body responds to processed versus whole foods. For the trial the following two meals were used:

1. Blue Gatorade, Top Ramen Chicken, Gummi Bears
2. Hibiscus Gatorade, Homemade Chicken Stock with Handmade Noodles, Pomegranate/Cherry Juice Gummi Bears

The first subject ate the processed food meal, the second subject ate the whole food meal.

Gatorade is made up of chemically treated refined sugar (as much as soda) and artificial colors, it is basically sugar water. After games/practices chocolate milk or chocolate almond milk is a good choice.  (Make sure your chocolate milk does not contain carrageenan, use this guide to help.) Fat-free chocolate milk beats out carbohydrate sports drinks at helping to rebuild and refuel muscles after working out.  Not to mention the chocolate milk does not contain artificial colors, as does Gatorade.  Purple Gatorade, for example, contains Red 40 and Blue 1.

Another alternative to Gatorade is a quick simple recipe:
– 6 oranges, juiced (energy from natural fruit sugars)
– 1 cup coconut water (electrolytes — potassium and magnesium)
– 1/2 lemon, juiced (electrolytes)

Alternatively, you can just use coconut water.  Coconut water is often called “natures sport drink” — it contains water for rehydration, carbohydrates in the form of sugar for energy, and electrolytes to replace what’s lost through sweat.

Coconut water is one of the healthiest drinks found in nature. This water will ward off fatigue while providing the body with natural sugars, salts and vitamins. “It’s the next big energy drink, but it’s pure,” said Mortin Satin, chief of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. Coconut water is more nutritious than milk. It has significantly less fat and none of the cholesterol. It contains about 294 mg potassium in a 100 ml glass. That is more than double most sports drinks, which have about 117 mg of potassium. Coconut water has about 25 mg of sodium in a similar sized drink, while sports drinks have 41 mg and energy drinks have 200 mg. Coconut water has approximately 5 mg of natural sugars while sports drinks have 20 to 25 mg of altered sugars. – Information provided by Livestrong.com

Gatorade: 6.25 calories, 1.75 grams sugar, 3.75 mg potassium, 13.75 mg sodium
Zico: 5.45 calories, 1.3 grams sugar, 61 mg potassium, 5.45 mg sodium

~ Eat Clean. Drink Water. Be Healthy.

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