22 Food Additives To Avoid

Food additives can help to improve the taste, color, texture, stability or appearance of food. They can also maintain and improve the freshness of the food, by slowing down the growth of bacteria, mold, fungi or yeast. Some additives are used as a substitute for something that was extracted from the food. Some beneficial additives can increase the nutritional value of food, but those are the rare ones that we are not worried about.

Try to remember these risky additives and then read the labels to know which products to avoid. A basic rule to always follow is that when you read a label and there is an ingredient that you have never heard of or you can't pronounce, avoid that product! A sneaky trick that is used by the food industry, is to use an alternate name for an ingredient that you might not recognize for what it is.

The 22 Food Additives To Avoid:

1. Yellow No. 5 - may cause severe asthma symptoms.

2. Red Dye No. 2 - may cause cancer.

3. Blue #1 & Blue #2 (E133) Banned in Norway, Finland and France. May cause chromosomal damage.

4. Red Dye # 3 & Red #40 (E124) - Can cause thyroid cancer and chromosomal damage in laboratory animals. May also interfere nerve transmission.

5. Yellow #6 (E110) & Yellow Tartrazine (E102) - Increases the number of kidney and adrenal gland tumors in laboratory animals. May cause chromosomal damage.

6. "Natural" Green Color - Is extracted with petroleum products.

7. High Fructose Corn Syrup - Cheaper to produce than cane sugar. May increase the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Alternate names; HFCS, isoglucose, maize syrup, glucose-fructose syrup and glucose/fructose.

8. Aspartame - Studies have shown that aspartame may be related to weight gain, elevated blood glucose, increased anxiety, cancer, heart attacks and stroke.

9. Caramelized sugar syrup - Gives bread and cooked chicken a brown look.

10. Potassium Bromate - Has been classified as a carcinogen, can cause tumors, kidney damage and DNA damage.

11. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) - MSG got famous from its use in Chinese restaurants. It can cause headaches, flushing, sweating, facial pressure or tightness, numbness, tingling or burning in the face, neck and other areas, rapid, heart palpitations, chest pain, nausea and weakness.

12. Sodium Benzoate - Sodium benzoate is a common food preservative used in many processed food products and drinks to prevent spoilage. Concerns have been raised regarding it as a possible cause of hyperactivity in some children. Alternative names; benzoic acid, potassium benzoate and benzoate.

13. Sodium Nitrite - Sodium nitrite is usually found in preserved meat products, such as sausages, cured meats and canned meats. Concerns of this preservative are that too much may cause pancreatic cancer and other health problems. Alternative names; sodium nitrite, nitrate and nitrite.

14. Sodium Sulfite (E221) - Preservative used in wine-making and other processed foods. Approximately one in 100 people is sensitive to sulfites in food. There may be a link between asthma and sulfites.

15. Sulfur Dioxide (E220) - Adverse reactions include bronchial problems, particularly in those prone to asthma, low blood pressure, flushing, tingling sensations or anaphylactic shock. It also destroys vitamins B1 and E. Not recommended for consumption, especially by children.

16. Propyl Paraben - A preservative in tortillas, bread products, dairy products, meat and vegetables. It is commonly found in many cosmetics, such as creams, lotions, shampoos and bath products. Propyl paraben is an endocrine-disrupting chemical, may be related to low sperm count, low testosterone levels, breast cancer and impaired fertility in women. Alternative names; 4-Hydroxybenzoesäurepropylester; propyl paraben; propyl p-hydroxybenzoate; propyl parahydroxybenzoate; nipasol and E216.

17. BHA And BHT (E320) - Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) are preservatives found in cereals, chewing gum, potato chips, and vegetable oils. Affects the neurological system of the brain, alters behavior and has a potential to cause cancer.

18. Trans Fat - Often found in foods such as fried doughnuts, cakes, pie crusts, biscuits, frozen pizza, cookies, crackers and margarines. May increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. It also raises your bad (LDL) cholesterol levels and lowers your good (HDL) cholesterol levels.

19. Rosemary Extract - Is found in some cereals, salami, fresh pasta or margarine or cooking oils.

20. Yeast Extract - Is a hidden form of MSG that is found in some spreads, soups, dips, chips, microwave dinners.

21. Rice Extract - A chemical stabilizer and emulsifier used in ice cream, pizzas, savory snacks.

22. Roasted Barley Malt Extract - Flavoring and color enhancer that makes cereals taste toasted.

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