| Food additives litter the food we buy and there is | | | | find them in things like chips, cereals and even |
| strong evidence that these food additives can be | | | | chewing gum. They are know to oxidize the cells and |
| harmful to our health. This article provides some | | | | cell oxidation is the precursor to cancer. |
| information that will help you identify and stear clear | | | | Propyl Gallate |
| of harmful food additives. | | | | Also a preservative. There has been evidence that |
| In 1958 the government passed the Delaney Clause | | | | this can be linked to cancer. |
| Food Additives Amendment which prohibited | | | | Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) |
| companies from adding known harmful chemicals to | | | | MSG is one of the more well-known food additives |
| our food. But in spite of this, there are still dangerous | | | | and is primarily used as a flavor-enhancer. Much of |
| chemicals that are still being added to our food and it | | | | the restaurant food we consume is flavored with |
| is important to understand which chemicals these are | | | | MSG. This food additive can cause reactions in some |
| and what the potential dangers are. | | | | people such as headaches and nausea. |
| The only defense we have as consumers is that all | | | | Trans Fats |
| packaged food is required to list all the ingredients on | | | | Trans-fats are proven to cause heart disease. |
| the label. It is for us to educate ourselves on the | | | | Restaurant food, especially fast food chains, often |
| dangerous food additives and scrutinize the labels of | | | | serves foods laden with trans-fats. |
| the food we buy. The challenge however, is that | | | | Aspartame |
| food companies tend to make finding these | | | | Aspartame is a sweetener and is also known as |
| suspicious ingredients somewhat tedious, hiding them | | | | NutraSweet. The brand of sweetener called Equal is |
| in hard-to-find areas of the package and making the | | | | also aspartame. This food additive has been linked to |
| print extremely small so as to discourage their | | | | cancer and neurological problems. |
| discovery. | | | | Acesulfame-K |
| The names of these chemicals themselves can | | | | A new sweetener used in baked goods and candy, |
| complicate matters. These chemical names are long | | | | Acesulfame-K has had limited testing and there has |
| and foreign-sounding and people typically skip over | | | | been some evidence that it may cause cancer in lab |
| them because they are tedious to try and read. The | | | | rats. |
| food producers are clever. They will intentionally use | | | | Food Colorings: Blue 1, 2; Red 3; Green 3; Yellow 6 |
| healthy-sounding phrases to dupe pepople into | | | | Food colorings are basically just a form of paint. They |
| thinking that the product is free of chemical additives. | | | | can liven up the walls in your living room but should |
| For instance, "Natural Flavors" or "No Preservatives" | | | | definitely be avoided in food. Blue 1 and 2, found in |
| are commonly found on packaged food products, but | | | | beverages, candy, baked goods and pet food, have |
| does this mean that the product is free of harmful | | | | been linked to cancer in lab animals. Red 3, has been |
| food additives? Absolutely not. Again, you must | | | | shown to cause thyroid tumors in rats. Green 3 has |
| check all the ingredients to determine whether a | | | | been linked to bladder cancer. Yellow 6 has been |
| product is completely free of food additives. | | | | linked to tumors of the adrenal gland and kidney. |
| Here is a helpful tip that relies on basic common | | | | Olestra |
| sense. If you are reading the ingredient list and you | | | | Olestra is a chemical fat that is used in chips and can |
| find it is long and loaded with long words that you | | | | have a wide array of side effects. Additionally, |
| are unfamiliar with, guess what? This product almost | | | | Olestra can impede the absorption of vitamins from |
| assuredly has plenty of chemical food additives. | | | | fruits and veggies. |
| Here is a list of twelve food additives that you | | | | Potassium Bromate |
| should definitely try and avoid. This is not an | | | | This food additive is found in many breads and |
| exhaustive list, however, these food additives have | | | | products that use flour. It has been linked to cancer |
| been linked to health concerns and harmful side | | | | in animals. |
| effects. | | | | White Sugar |
| Sodium Nitrate or Sodium Nitrite | | | | White sugar is white because of bleach. Eating foods |
| Found primarily in lunch meat and hot dogs, this is a | | | | that add a lot of white sugar is very bad for you. |
| preservative and color and flavor enhancer and has | | | | Sodium Chloride |
| been linked to cancer. | | | | AKA... salt. Most of the commercial foods we eat are |
| BHA and BHT | | | | loaded with Sodium Chloride. This additive has been |
| Butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated | | | | proven to cause heart disease. |
| hydrozyttoluene are used as a preservative. You can | | | | |