Answer to Question #105022 in English for Rico

Question

How do commercially prepared foods and homemade foods compare in terms of nutrients and additives

Answer 1

Commercially prepared food is mostly stored for several days and is not consumed during a short period after cooking. As a result, commercially prepared food, specifically products that are stored in shops for several days, contain additives that maintain the taste, flavor, color, and other properties of the food. Very often, chemical preservatives are used to protect the food from the spoiling due to the growth of microorganisms. Although these additives are not dangerous and nontoxic in low amounts, some of them may lead to the development of allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. In contrast, such additives are rarely added to homemade foods due to the rapid consumption of the meal prepared at home.

On the other hand, homemade foods have more nutrients compared to commercial products. In many cases, commercial food contains high amounts of starch and sugars that are highly caloric additives. As a result, the nutritional value of these foods decreases while the amount of calories increases. On the other hand, prolonged heat treatment and contact with light significantly reduce the concentration of vitamins as some of them are highly sensitive to heat and light. Overall, it could be suggested that homemade foods possess higher nutritional value compared to commercial foods.