REWRITE THIS AND REPHRASE IT. MAKE IT INTO A MARK LEVIN FORMAT processed foods should be defended against their common portrayal as dietary villains. About 100 years ago, mass urbanization, poverty, and lack of refrigeration made fresh food scarce, expens

Ladies and gentlemen, let’s set the record straight about processed foods. They’ve been demonized far too often in today’s health debates, but they deserve a fair defense! Let’s rewind the clock about a century. Back then, urbanization was on the rise, poverty was rampant, and refrigeration was a luxury few could afford. Fresh food became a rare commodity—too expensive and often spoiled or contaminated. This resulted in a slew of public health issues: foodborne illnesses, rampant malnutrition, increased cancer rates, and short life expectancies. Enter processed foods—the knights in shining armor! Through innovations like canning, pasteurization, and the use of preservatives, these foods became essential to sustaining a growing population. They provided a safe, affordable means of nourishment, preventing starvation and mitigating the risks associated with spoiled or tainted products. Now, I won’t deny that some synthetic additives may have their drawbacks. But let’s not pretend they’re on par with the alternatives folks had to deal with in the past—think rotten eggs or swill milk! Processed foods have been a game-changer in food safety and longevity. It’s time we recognize their crucial role in our modern diets, rather than resorting to misguided villainization.