Food. It’s everywhere; it is one of the most basic things humans require in order to survive. It should be our primary source of nutrients, but what happens when the food we are eating does not contain as many nutrients as it first appears?

A lot of foods currently available contain artificial ingredients which may be added to enhance their colouring, flavouring or lifespan. The processes applied to these foods and the synthetic ingredients which are added could mean that when you’re swigging a sports drink or munching on a cereal bar, you’re not actually being as healthy as you think.

Luckily, there is an answer. The natural food market has exploded over the past few years, as the public grow more and more health-conscious. Most large supermarkets now have a specific, specialist health food section, and there are even companies which exist solely to supply food manufacturers with all-natural ingredients, such as the UK-based international health food supplier Kanegrade. With the market for natural food products continuously growing, there really is no excuse for not taking the green approach – but if you’re still feeling in the dark about the health food craze sweeping the nation, read on to find out more.

What Are Artificial Ingredients & Why Does It Matter?

Generally, processed or artificial foods will have been stripped of some of their naturally-occurring elements during the preparation process, including essential nutrients and fibres. They are often high in added sugar or salt, and they may have been grown using synthetic fertilisers, pesticides or genetic engineering in order to achieve the effects of nature in a much quicker timeframe.

Why Should I Eat Natural Ingredients?

These synthetic and artificial foods are often void of the natural substances required for optimum health. In comparison, natural foods and whole foods are as close to nature as possible; they are rich in health-boosting nutrients including vitamins, fibres and minerals which can help protect against many chronic diseases including heart problems and some cancers. Their occurrence in nature makes them ideal for human consumption, as we were originally designed to survive on foods such as these – allowing our bodies to process the nutrients much more effectively.

They also do more than just make a difference to your long term health – many people feel the effects of switching to natural products within the first few weeks of the change. You may not realise it, but processed, stodgy foods can often leave you feeling sluggish and lethargic, whereas healthy natural products serve to stimulate and energise both you physical and mental health.

The most common and nutrient-rich natural foods include fresh fruit and vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds and whole grains, but with the recent surge of interest in the industry, your options for pursuing a natural diet are no longer as limited as they once were. You can enjoy natural ice cream, cereals and bread as there are plenty readily available which are made using natural ingredients. Just check individual packs next time you go shopping!