The Silent Giants of the Food World: The Invisible Hand from Field to Supermarket
Dr. Berg points out that what influences our daily diet is not the familiar brands on the shelves, but four multinational corporations that control the global trade of major agricultural products —Archer Daniels Midland ( ADM ), Bunge , Cargill , and Louis Dreyfus , known in the industry as " ABCD ." They dominate the supply of basic raw materials such as corn, soybeans, wheat, sugar, and rice, which account for about 68% of the average American's calorie intake. Many of the snacks, cereals, and ready-to-eat foods you see in supermarkets, and even many "organic" and "natural" sub-brands, may have their upstream suppliers connected to these four giants.
Dr. Berger emphasizes that what truly drives the market is not the packaging of a single brand, but the prices of these raw materials and the supply chain. More importantly, government subsidies make grains cheaper and more ubiquitous: massive subsidies for corn, wheat, and soybeans result in seemingly cheap processed products at the retail level; however, consumers simultaneously "pay the bill" in advance with taxes and then "pay the difference" in terms of health costs — when a diet high in sugar, starch, and seed oils results in higher blood sugar, blood pressure, fatty liver, and cardiovascular risks.
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Three key ingredients: sugar, starch, and seed oil
Dr. Berger summarized that the vast majority of ultra-processed foods involve three things:
- Sugar : addictive, increases repurchase and consumption.
- Seed oils (such as corn oil and soybean oil): derived from industrial by-products, after refining and high-temperature processing, they are prone to forming lipid structures that are not metabolically friendly.
- Starch/additives : a cost-effective way to "increase portion size," but often leading to a higher glycemic response. Some processed starches (such as maltodextrin) can even have a higher glycemic effect than sucrose, causing more dramatic fluctuations in blood sugar.
Under this formula logic, the market can reduce costs, maximize taste, and increase profits, while consumers want to eat more and more, forming a self-reinforcing cycle of supply and demand.
Hidden costs of subsidies: What you perceive as a bargain may actually be the price you've paid twice.
Dr. Berger uses a donut analogy: the retail price may seem like only one part; you've already paid for the raw materials once through taxes, and then you "pay again" through health risks and medical expenses. As processed foods become mainstream—cheap, convenient, and ubiquitous—the long-term metabolic burden accumulates.
A practical strategy for Hong Kong people: Use "demand" to change supply.
He emphasized that the market follows demand. What you buy, the supply chain expands accordingly. To reduce the impact of ultra-processed formulations at the source, one can start with everyday choices:
- It is made primarily with natural ingredients : fresh fish, meat, eggs, seasonal vegetables, whole nuts, and healthy fats.
- Reading the ingredient list is better than looking at marketing terms: pay attention to added sugar, various syrups, maltodextrin, hydrogenated or refined seed oils, and various modified starches.
- Managing carbohydrate sources and frequency : Reduce refined starches and snacks to minimize fluctuations in blood sugar and insulin levels.
- Practice a low-carb or ketogenic diet combined with intermittent fasting : Dr. Berger suggests this approach to improve insulin resistance and help fat metabolism get back on track.
- Voting with money: Reducing purchases of highly processed products leads to decreased demand, naturally shifting supply accordingly.
It's not that we're powerless, but that we have choices.
Dr. Berger's core message is that control lies not only in the industry, but also in every shopping and every meal decision. Better options will emerge in the market when more people choose less processed, less sugary, less refined starch, and healthier fats.
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Change Begins at the Dining Table
Health isn't about expensive formulas and fancy packaging; it's about returning to real food . As we reshape demand with choices, the supply chain must respond. Give your table back to yourself, starting with your next meal today.
YouTube source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgBngKk-dRc&list=PLlWQQPXW0Gbz3gZZocnsU9Ae14FZiHk5F&index=6
YouTube Column: Dr. Berger's Chinese Health Knowledge
