ashley2212
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Joined: 12/13/2007
Posts: 61 |
Subject: Subtracting the Additives
Many commonly used food additives are unhealthy and should be avoided.
Subtracting the Additives
Artificial colorings and flavorings, preservatives and other food additives are everywhere in food these days. You’ll find them in cold cuts, canned soups, fresh and frozen salmon, soft drinks, sports drinks, breakfast cereals, orange peels, fast food, and many other places. The term “food additives” carries connotations of unhealthiness, and for good reason. Many commonly used food additives have known negative healthy effects. Not infrequently, these health effects are determined to warrant removal of a specific additive from the market.
Not all food additives are unhealthy, however. In fact, some of them really aren’t even artificial. They have exactly the same chemical structure as compounds found in natural foods, but because they are synthesized by humans, they must be identified as “artificial” on food labels.
There are health-conscious eaters who try to avoid consuming all artificial colorings and flavorings, preservatives and texture enhancers. I don’t think this is a bad idea, because there are undoubtedly unknown health effects of some commonly used food additives, and little is known about what the total load of additives does to the human body over a lifetime. Nevertheless, I do believe that many food additives are harmless and that avoiding all of them is not necessary for optimal health. Instead, I recommend that you avoid certain additives that have known negative health effects or whose safety is in question.
Here are some of them:
Aluminum – Aluminum compounds are used as leavening agents in many processed baked goods. Some studies have shown a link between these compounds and Alzheimer’s disease.
Artificial Butter Flavor – There is evidence that diacetyl, a chemical in artificial butter flavorings used in many brands of microwave popcorn, produces toxic fumes that increase the risk of lung cancer.
Artificial Colors – Some commonly used artificial coloring agents (especially Red No. 40, Blue Dye No. 1, and Yellow No. 5) are believed to cause hypersensitivity reactions in some people. Acute reactions include inflammation, hyperactivity, and headache. Long-term consequences include ADHD and asthma.
Aspartame – The artificial sweetener aspartame appears to be safe for most people, but anecdotal evidence suggests that it causes hypersensitivity reactions in some. Common complaints include headache, dizziness and nausea.
BHA and BHT - Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) and Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) are believed to be safe in small amounts, but they have caused tumors in animals when administered in high doses. Because BHA and BHT are so widespread in the human food supply, their total consumption level may be unsafe for many people.
Nitrates/Nitrites – Nitrates and nitrites are compounds that are used as preservatives and coloring agents in many meat products. They become carcinogenic when combined with amines, which are also present in these products.
Sodium Benzoate – Sodium benzoate is a preservative used in a wide variety of products, including salad dressings, carbonated drinks and fruit juices. In combination with vitamin C (ascorbic acid) it forms benzene, a known carcinogen. New evidence suggests that it may also contribute to hyperactivity in children.
Trans Fats – Trans fats are created when scientists add hydrogen atoms to unsaturated fats to make them more saturated and, in turn, increase their melting point and make them better for baking and to prolong their shelf life. Fortunately, the FDA now requires that trans fat content be listed on food package labels, making it easier to eat around this most unhealthy type of fat. High levels of trans fat consumption have been shown to increase heart disease risk even more than high levels of saturated fat consumption. If you see trans fat on a product label, simply don’t buy it.
Perhaps the easiest way to avoid most of these additives is to eat organic foods as much as possible. Thanks to a recent explosion in consumer demand for organic food products, it is easy to find an organic version of almost anything you normally buy from a supermarket, from eggs to canned soups. Organic food products are much less likely to contain unhealthy additives than non-organic versions of the same types of foods. But always read the labels to be sure.
http://www.poweringmuscles.com/Article-67,Subtracting_The_Additives.html |
| Posted: 1/20/2008 |
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