How Big Food and Big Pharma are against you
When Profit Drives Health Decisions
Major food and pharmaceutical corporations have structured their business models in ways that often prioritize profit over public health. These industries benefit from the widespread prevalence of chronic disease, as the conventional healthcare system frequently relies on ongoing prescription medications to manage symptoms rather than addressing root causes.
Food manufacturers routinely introduce products containing artificial dyes, chemical additives, and substances that resemble food but lack nutritional value. These products are engineered to encourage repeat consumption, perpetuating poor health outcomes and increasing dependency on pharmaceutical interventions.
The impact of these practices is substantiated by recent research. According to a 2025 Stanford University article, diets high in ultra-processed foods are associated with a 50% increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease and a 48% increased risk of anxiety. The same study found “highly suggestive” evidence that greater consumption of ultra-processed foods increases the risk of death from heart disease by 66%, the risk of obesity by 55%, sleep disorders by 41%, Type 2 diabetes by 40%, early death from any cause by 21%, and depression by 20%.
Additionally, the chemicals and additives present in today’s food supply were largely absent two decades ago. Many of these substances are prohibited in other countries, yet remain permitted in the United States due to regulatory allowances by agencies such as the FDA. The cumulative effect of these chemicals, dyes, sprays, and additives is a significant contributor to the rise in chronic disease, ultimately generating substantial profits for both the food and pharmaceutical industries at the expense of consumer well-being.
Key Statistics:
50% increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease due to ultra-processed foods
41% increased risk of sleep disorders
48% increased risk of anxiety
40% increased risk of Type 2 diabetes
66% increased risk of death from heart disease
21% increased risk of early death from any cause
55% increased risk of obesity
20% increased risk of depression
These data points underscore the profound impact that food industry practice have on public health and highlight the need for greater scrutiny and reform in both food production and healthcare delivery.