What Should You Check Before Buying a Packet of Chips?

We all know that the best chips are made from the freshest, ripest potatoes that are thinly sliced and fried to a golden-brown crisp. However, what many people may not know is that in order to ensure that the packet of chips stays fresh and crisp by the time it reaches the consumer, manufacturers often add preservatives and chemicals. While it may be true that many packaged foods contain preservatives, it is important to note that potato chips may contain additional ingredients that some consumers may want to be aware of. These ingredients are added to keep the chip fresh and intact for a longer period of time. It’s always a good idea to check the ingredient label before purchasing a packet of chips and to choose brands that use minimal or natural preservatives.

It may come as a surprise to learn that when you enjoy a bag of your favorite chips, you may also be consuming chemicals found in household toilet cleaners. Many foods, including fruits and vegetables, are treated with chemicals to help them grow faster and prevent bacterial growth. One of these chemicals is sodium bisulfite, which is used in small quantities in food production. This chemical is also found in some household cleaning agents but in larger quantities. When added to chips and other snacks, it helps extend their shelf life and prevents discoloration that can occur when food is exposed to air.

When used in small amounts, Sodium bisulfite is generally considered safe for consumption when used in small quantities. However, it can be potentially dangerous when added to products that contain Vitamin B12, such as certain varieties of potatoes. It’s important to be aware of the ingredients and preservatives in the products you consume and to consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns about the safety of a specific ingredient or chemical.

Negative effects of potato chips on our health

While chips can be a tasty and satisfying snack, they are not always the healthiest option. Many packaged chips are high in calories, fat, and sodium, and may not provide much in the way of nutrients. Consuming chips in moderation as part of a balanced diet is fine, but regularly consuming large amounts of chips can contribute to weight gain, high blood pressure, and other health problems.

In the Myriad of Studies and research, scientists have concluded several other incredible side effects of eating chips. Some of these are visible in the course of time on your body and some are feeding on us internally & gradually damaging the goodness of our health. Those negative effects are: 

1. Fats & High Cholesterol 

The quantity and kind of fat included in chips might raise cholesterol levels when consumed often. The majority of chips are deep-fried, which produces trans fats, the most harmful kind. And High levels of LDL cholesterol increase the risk of coronary heart disease.  

2. High Blood Pressure   

Potato chips typically have 120 to 180 milligrammes of sodium per ounce. Many people ingest more sodium than they think when they eat chips. The salt level of chips deteriorates our cardiovascular health. High salt consumption can raise blood pressure, leading to stroke, heart failure, coronary heart disease, and renal disease.

3. Obesity 

The usual high fat and calorie content of chips can increase the risk of weight gain and obesity. About 15 to 20 chips, or one ounce of ordinary potato chips, have 154 calories and 10 grams of fat. Diabetes, heart disease, and some types of cancer are the consequences of being overweight or obese.

4. Heart stroke 

High cholesterol, high blood pressure, fats & obesity often ends up in heart diseases or raises the risk of stroke according to studies by Griffin Health. 

5. Low Nutritional Value

You might not be getting all the nutrients you need if chips are a frequent component of your diet. Chips usually lack essential vitamins and minerals, and they often take the place of more nutrient-dense foods in diets. If you choose chips over snacks with a high nutrient density, you will not profit from the ability to make up for any nutritional deficiencies at mealtimes.

6. Unhealthy Gut

As we all know now, the chips are made of potatoes using many chemicals & preservatives so the frequent consumption of it can lead to an unhealthy gut and several bowel issues. 

7. Possible cause of Cancer

The chemical we earlier talked about, Acrylamide that is present in processed foods has carcinogenic properties leading to a variety of cancers. The bag of chips contains high levels of this chemical and hence is dangerous for health, increasing the rate of cancer.

8. Binge Eating & Depression

The increased consumption of packets of chips not only degenerates your body but also declines your mental health. Regular intake of chips might develop into an obsession or addiction. This binge eating frequently leads to becoming addicted to eating chips all the time. The addition of high amounts of trans fats takes a toll on your mental health leading to depression in the long run.

Before getting habitual about chips or any other such snack, we definitely should have an overview of its processing and get a clear idea about how much harm it can do to our health. Though, the minimal amount doesn’t affect but regular or overconsumption will increase the risks of several health-related problems. So, Before snacking, do some thinking too.