As we learn more about the food we are eating and how they affect our bodies, that very question can pop into our minds. We see commercials for fast food, there are coupons for prepackaged goods and even billboards of food products that will “make our lives easier”.
But will they really?
When we look at the additives that are put into these convenience items, we can see there are definitely drawbacks to this type of eating. Take a look at the following list* of food additives and see for yourself, where they are used and what can happen when ingesting these additives.
Aluminum: A preservative in some packaged foods that can cause cancer.
Azodicarbonamide: Used in bagels and buns. Can cause asthma.
BHA/BHT: A fat preservative, used in foods to extend shelf life. Linked to cancerous tumor growth.
Brominated vegetable oil: Keeps flavor oils in soft drinks suspended. Bromate is a poison and can cause organ damage and birth defects. Not required to be listed on food labels.
Butane: Put in chicken nuggets to keep them tasting fresh. A known carcinogen.
Camauba wax: Used in chewing gums and to glaze certain foods. Can cause cancer and tumors.
Carrageenan: Stabilizer and thickening agent used in many prepared foods. Can cause ulcers and cancer.
Chlorine dioxide: Used in bleaching flour. Can cause tumors and hyperactivity in children.
Disodium inosinate: In snack foods. Contains MSG.
Disodium guanylate: Also used in snack foods, and contains MSG.
Enriched flour: Used in many snack foods. A refined starch that is made from toxic ingredients.
Magnesium sulphate: Used in tofu, and can cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Monosodium glutamate (MSG): Flavor enhancer that can cause headaches. Linked in animal studies to nerve damage, heart problems and seizures.
Olestra: Fat-like substance that is unabsorbed by the body. Used in place of natural fats in some snack foods. Can cause digestive problems, and also not healthy for the heart.
Paraben: Used to stop mold and yeast forming in foods. Can disrupt hormones in the body, and could be linked to breast cancer.
Polysorbate 60: A thickener that is used in baked goods. Can cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Potassium bromate: Added to breads to increase volume. Linked to cancer in humans.
Propyl gallate: Added to fat-containing products. Linked to cancer in humans. Found in meats, popcorn, soup mixes and frozen dinners. Shown to cause cancer in rats. Banned in some countries. Deemed safe by FDA.
Propylene glycol: Better known as antifreeze. Thickens dairy products and salad dressing. Deemed ‘generally’ safe by FDA.
Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH): Genetically-engineered version of natural growth hormone in cows. Boosts milk production in cows. Contains high levels of IGF-1, which is thought cause various types of cancer.
Refined vegetable oil: Includes soybean oil, corn oil, safflower oil, canola oil, and peanut oil. High in omega-6 fats, which are thought to cause heart disease and cancer.
Sodium benzoate: Used as a preservative in salad dressing and carbonated beverages. A known carcinogen and may cause damage our DNA.
Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose: Used as a thickener in salad dressings. Could cause cancer in high quantities.
Sodium nitrate: Added to processed meats to stop bacterial growth. Linked to cancer in humans. (Worst Offender)
Sulfites: Used to keep prepared foods fresh. Can cause breathing difficulties in those sensitive to the ingredient.
This is just a partial list of things that are most commonly added to food that is processed and packaged. Is it really worth the simplicity? As you can see, short term simplicity can lead to a lifetime of challenges, health issues and obstacles as well as chronic and terminal illnesses and disease.
So, what can you do?
Be selective with what you are putting into your body. Eat certified organic and whole foods. Find recipes that allow you to eat the way you like but in a healthy way. In fact we have had a lot of feedback from you about making more recipes available. So, coming soon we will have a place just for recipes that will include healthy options and alternatives.
The FDA says these additives are safe for human consumption. However after looking at this list, do you think it’s safe? Please help get the word out and feel free to share this article with your friends and loved ones. It could mean their health.
Would you like to know how your body responds to certain foods? Schedule an appointment with me for some Nutrition Response Testing. Your body may be responding to these additives in a very negative way and we can determine what that is.
*For more information on food additives please see the article: 50 Jawdroppingly Toxic Food Ingredients & Artificial Additives to Avoid
Comments