When it comes to the epitome of the Standard American Diet (generally referred to as the “SAD” diet), there are few food products that come to mind before the bag of potato chips and the value size french fries. While some try to argue that these were, in some distant life, a potato, I think few actually view either food-like product as anything but unhealthy. But just how much damage does this little crispy delight cause?
When food products are heated to very high temps, one of the by products formed is acrylamide. Personally, I think this sounds like something you would use to bond a broken PVC pipe. Seemingly, the body agrees with me as this substance is a known carcinogen and neurotoxic agent.
But what about exposure in the womb?
While this particular study is a rat study and used unrealistically high doses of potato chips at part of the diet of the pregnant rats, it should raise the concern of everyone. The destruction of the nervous system in the newborns was tremendous.
This is not the first time concern has been raised about acrylamide exposure in the womb, although this study was over 8 years ago, so it would appear we, as a society, as slow learners.
So how much would it take to damage a developing human baby’s brain? A single bag? A bag a day? Does it really matter? Why would anyone take the risk when the potential for damage is lifelong? Given the continued rise of psychological problems in our children (ADD, ADHD, ASDs…) these deep fried foods should be strictly avoiding by pregnant women.
