There’s been a lot of talk about our increased reliance on highly processed food. In a world where many of us are time-poor, it’s often much quicker to grab something from a packet, than cook from scratch; and food companies are getting better and smarter at making those quick options taste irresistibly delicious. But what is the trade-off for this convenience, and is it affecting the way our bodies function?
It could well be, and it all comes down to inflammation, and what we are learning about the undeniable link between the digestive system and the nervous system. Processed foods, often lacking essential nutrients, can disrupt the delicate balance of our gut microbiome – and with more and more studies indicating that our gut health is inextricably connected to our brain it would logically follow that our spinal health could suffer (it is, after all, a fairly crucial part of our nervous system).
So how do we know what’s processed food and what isn’t? In some cases, it’s really easy – when it looks pretty much like it did on the tree, on the ground or on the animal, it’s unlikely to be highly processed (fruits, veggies, meat, nuts, grains etc) If it’s changed drastically in shape or form, there’s definitely been some tinkering – sadly there’s no Doritos or Crunchie Bar trees that we know of. A good indication when it comes to things in packets is to look at the ingredients and if any of them are not something you could have in your kitchen – think long chemical names you can barely pronounce – it’s probably best avoided. That’s not to say these foods shouldn’t be consumed at all – it’s just they shouldn’t be making up the majority of your diet.
Prioritising an anti-inflammatory and nutrient-dense diet made mainly of whole foods will definitely benefit your body in a myriad of ways. And you may be surprised at just how much it might affect not only your neurological health but also pain levels, and overall spinal well-being.
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