Thread by @bensmithlive

If pasta, bread, and red meat are so bad, why do Europeans live to 100+ and stay healthy?

But when Americans consume these?

They get chronically sick.

After some research…

I found the disturbing truth that explains exactly what's going on: 🧵

It’s not an exaggeration to say that Americans are among the world’s unhealthiest people.

• 41.9% of them are obese
• 70 million suffer from gut issues
• 48% have cardiovascular diseases

But why is this the case? Well, it all started with Big Tobacco...

For decades, Big Tobacco publicly denied that cigarettes cause cancer.

But many of today’s American foods were brought to you by them.

Since they were skilled in marketing cigarettes, they realised they could use similar strategies to hook people on processed foods...

In the 1980s, tobacco giants Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds acquired the major food companies:

• Kraft
• Nabisco
• General Foods

Allowing tobacco firms to dominate US’s food supply and make BILLIONS from Oreo cookies, Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, and Lunchables.

But how did they do it?

Hyper-Palatable Foods

These foods find your “bliss point” by combining fat, salt, and sugar to trigger overeating and addiction.

They are engineered to be irresistible.

In the past 30 years, hyper-palatable foods have spread rapidly into the food supply.

If Americans would skip at least one ultra-processed meal or snack a day, the sales would plummet by 7%

Ultra-processed foods are being linked in study after study to things like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, et al.

Which leads us to this disturbing truth:

THE SOURCE OF YOUR DISEASE IS IN THE FOOD YOU EAT.

Chronic food illness kills up to 678,000 Americans a year.

60% of US adults live with at least one chronic disease while in Italy and France, those numbers are 37%.

Why are European numbers lower than in the US?

For example, US food additives are banned in Europe.

The industrialisation and evil marketing of poisonous processed foods lead to poor habits that cause inflammation, which leads to a variety of chronic diseases.

Thus, what Americans eat is certainly making them sick.

The "French Paradox" is the best example.

French people have lower incidence of coronary heart disease despite a diet high in saturated fats and moderate wine consumption.

This shows you there are massive problems within the Western diet.

Let’s start with potassium bromate.

From baguettes to focaccia, potassium bromate is banned for human consumption in Europe, but not in the US.

It’s used to strengthen dough.

There is evidence it’s toxic and can even promote the development of tumours.

But it’s not just this substance…

Specific Substances Banned in Europe But Allowed in the US:

• Olestra (fat substitute)
• Growth hormones in beef
• Chlorine-washed chicken
• Carrageenan (dairy products)
• Potassium bromate (bread products)
• Azodicarbonamide (bread and pastries)
• Brominated vegetable oil (citrus-flavored drinks)
• Artificial food dyes (Yellow #5, Yellow #6, Red #40)
• Recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) in dairy

Moving on.

The ultra-processed foods trigger chronic diseases.

They're low in antioxidants and high in substances that promote oxidative stress.

This creates an imbalance between harmful free radicals and the body's protective mechanisms.

Antioxidants, which neutralise free radicals and prevent cell damage, are crucial, but LACKING in the processed diet.

What about its effect on the gut health?

After helping 1427+ people with chronic gut issues, one of the most common causes was the ultra-processed diet.

It disturbs the gut microbiome's balance and diversity, causing dysbiosis.

This triggers systemic inflammation.

The intake of saturated and trans fats, as well as refined carbohydrates, typical in this diet, triggers the release of inflammatory mediators.

In contrast, a Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein sources, reduces inflammation and protects against chronic diseases.

In addition to the ultra-processed diet, sedentary lifestyles and stress are associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases.

Europeans enjoy the art of doing nothing and daily walks, whilst Americans glorify the hustle culture and McDonalds.

Even though the tobacco companies no longer own these food brands…

Many of the ultra-processed foods we eat today were engineered by an industry that wrote the playbook on products that are highly-palatable, addictive and appealing to children.

This is also why more and more children suffer from chronic diseases.

To fight the industrial food complex, choose organic. Fresh from the farm. Cook with organic ingredients.

Go back to basics, to what food is supposed to be.

It’s not just about eating—it’s about living and feeling better.

Let's fight it together. One meal at a time.

Nutrition is key in my functional medicine approach to chronic illness.

But elite health extends beyond diet.

That’s why I built quantum.—battle-tested tools for elite health and performance.

Get it below: (it’s free)
limitless.join-aura.com

Thanks for reading!

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P.S.

If you suffer from any chronic health conditions...

I'm now open for a select number of clients to work with me directly 1:1.

Interested?

DM me the word “RESET” and let's see if we're the right fit.