Jack LaLanne called it back in the 1950s.
Processed foods contain preservatives, which are basically poisons used to kill bacteria.
The fewer poisons you consume, the better. Fresh food is always best!
No, they are not poisons when used in food. Preservatives are added to foods to prevent or slow spoilage due to bacteria, molds, fungi or yeast. They also help prevent rancidity where free radicals can form. These are not poisons because poison, as it has always been, is determined by the dose. The only difference between medicine and poison is the dosage.
The fact is, artificial preservatives like sodium nitrate and sodium benzoate are used in food preparation because they are effective in small amounts. Salt and alcohol are also used as preservatives. Is salt a poison? Try living a few months without it. The nitrates used as preservatives in food are not poison. Most of the nitrates you consume every day come naturally from the vegetables you eat.
The internet (and CNN) are absolutely the worst places to learn about anything to do with human nutrition.