Additives and Advertising

In discussing the causes of childhood obesity, we can start with the alphabet, and two very similar words that begin (in English, anyway) with the same sound: additives and advertising. They are fatefully connected. Probably, many substances that get into food ought to be outright banned — in which case, those particular products would either be discontinued or have their recipes changed, so in either case we would not need to worry about how they were advertised.

Similarly, if the advertising of any food containing suspicious additives were to be forbidden, that would also help a lot. However, for better or worse, we live in a society proud of its freedom, although good arguments might be made to the effect that maybe, in some cases, freedom is worse than the alternative.

Over the years, at least 1,000 chemicals found in food (or in the packaging that embraces it) have been identified as obesity-inducing, while in very few of those cases has the worrisome substance been banned from inclusion. Because obesity is notoriously multi-factorial, once these substances get inside the body it is not easy to definitively pin down which chemical does what. But there are some very shady suspects.

Salt of the earth

“The salt of the earth” has, since Biblical times, been a colloquial description for someone who is trustworthy, honest, genuine, and reliable. To be identified as having saline qualities is a great compliment. But then, during a few recent decades, things changed, and salt itself came under suspicion for apparently somehow aiding and abetting obesity.

Then, about a decade ago, a series of experiments on the body chemistry of a group of Russian cosmonauts took place, which threw all the previously assumed knowledge about salt into doubt. The more diligently the scientists investigated, the more their comfortable certainty evaporated. One of them, Dr. Melanie Hoenig, told The New York Times,

I suspect that when it comes to the adverse effects of high sodium intake, we are right for all the wrong reasons.

Around that time, a page no longer available quoted Associate Consumer Analyst Ryan Whittaker as saying,

Emulating the UK’s salt reduction program is a strong strategy. Without being overly prescriptive, this strategy brought manufacturers, action groups, and other interested parties together and achieved an 11% reduction in salt consumption. Achieving similar results with sugar, without complex legislation, would be a success for both public health bodies and the food and drink industry.

So, that would be good news — if indeed it turns out that salt reduction actually is a factor in obesity prevention. A very current article aimed at the average weight-conscious American presents an overview of current thinking on the subject, as expressed by Lauren Manaker, M.S. The author says,

While eating salt doesn’t directly cause weight gain in the form of body fat, there is evidence to suggest that consuming it in excess may not be best if you are focused on weight management.

If people were taking their water straight, that would be one thing. But the main contemporary problem is the very strong tendency, especially among the young, to drink sugar-sweetened beverages. The salty food leads directly to the sugary drinks, and oops, somebody just chugged a few hundred thirst-slaking calories. A bit further down the road, there are knock-on effects:

Ultra-processed foods and meats are linked to higher levels of inflammation, and inflammation is associated with weight gain.

As always, we are urged to bear in mind that sodium is necessary for health. But it causes fluid retention, which is not fat per se, but which does add bulk to the figure. Also, its link with ultra-processed foods is regarded with great suspicion.

The recommended fix is home cooking, where the consumer retains at least a semblance of control over the proceedings. Concerning the quest for flavor, the most highly recommended suggestion is to explore the vast availability of genuine herbs. Of course, when buying groceries or eating in restaurants and other venues, be informed about the meaning and consequences of eating ultra-processed foods, and remain vigilant.

Your responses and feedback are welcome!

Source: “Why Everything We Know About Salt May Be Wrong,” NYTimes.com, 05/08/17
Source: “Does Salt Make You Gain Weight?,” EatingWell.com, 03/10/26
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