03/05/2026
🌱 Our Food Has Changed — And So Have Our Diseases
Most of what fills our modern grocery stores today did not exist 200 years ago. Ultra-processed foods, seed oils, refined sugars, artificial flavors, dyes, fast foods, and chemical preservatives were barely part of the human diet prior to the 20th century.
And here’s what’s even more interesting…
📊 Research Shows a Definite Link Between Ultra-Processed Foods & the Modern Disease Epidemic Today.
This trend is absolutely backed by research:
• A 2023 study in The BMJ found that higher consumption of ultra-processed foods is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and early mortality (based on data from over 200,000 people).
• A 2019 study in JAMA Internal Medicine showed that every 10% increase in ultra-processed food intake increased risk of overall mortality by 14%.
• A 2022 study in Frontiers in Nutrition linked ultra-processed foods to increased systemic inflammation — the foundation of most modern chronic conditions.
These foods did not exist just two hundred years ago
• Industrial seed oils (canola, soybean, corn) were introduced between 1911–1950.
• Packaged snack foods exploded between 1950–1970.
• The average American now gets 50–60% of their daily calories from ultra-processed foods (NIH data).
Meanwhile, rates of…
✔ cancer
✔ obesity
✔ Auto Immune Diseases
✔ heart disease
✔ Type II Diabetes
✔ neurodegenerative conditions
…have risen drastically during that same timeframe.
While correlation is not causation, the overlap is hard to ignore.
Our Bodies Have Not Evolved to Handle This Type of Diet
Our Human genetics have barely changed in the past 100 years — but our food system has transformed rapidly and completely.
We now consume foods:
• with no minerals or nutritional density
• that are loaded with synthetic ingredients
• packed with inflammatory seed oils
• high in sugar, toxins, pesticides and chemicals
It’s no surprise that metabolic dysfunction, inflammation and chronic illnesses have skyrocketed!!
⸻
*** We Can Reclaim Our Health With Real Food Nutrition!!!
At Richeson Wellness, we see this all the time:
When people shift toward whole, nutrient-dense, unprocessed foods, inflammation drops, energy rises, pain decreases, gut function improves, and chronic symptoms begin to reverse.
Simple principles that still work
• Eat foods your great-grandparents would recognize
• Prioritize protein, vegetables, fruit, healthy fats, nuts and seeds
• Avoid ultra-processed foods
• Reduce or eliminate sugar and refined carbs
• Support your mitochondria and immune system
• Use targeted supplements to fill the void in our American diet
Modern diseases will always rise when modern foods dominate.
True health and vitality returns when real food returns.
If you're experiencing symptoms, you are already into the disease process... but no worries, we can help!! Give us a call today if you want to uncover the mystery of your symptoms and get on the path to a better, healthier and vibrant future, where you feel amazing and get your passion for living back again!
(813) 241-7098
