How to Avoid Most Dangerous Food Additives

Dangerous Food Additives
Do you know that there are several dangerous food additives which you regularly consume through the medium of foods and drinks? We gorge on our favorite fast food, pizzas, Chinese dishes, etc. without bothering about the ingredients used in these dishes. Secondly, most of us calorie conscious people, avoid sugar and use aspartame instead. Thirdly, we also love to add a lot of color to our foods and hence, use food colors. However, does any of think whether these food additives are good for our health or not? Many of these products are termed as dangerous food additives and are not meant for regular consumption.
The most common dangers of food additives and preservatives is that these can lead to abdominal pain and discomfort. One may experience nausea, vomiting, flatulence, etc. on consumption of these products. However, there are some food additives that can lead to more severe side effects, like they can increase the risk of cancer or many other fatal diseases. The following are such dangerous food additives which should be avoided.
Potassium Bromate
Potassium bromate is banned in most of parts of the world but, not in the United States. This product is specially added to flour while making biscuits and rolls to increase their volume. It was found to be a cause of cancer, when tested on animals. In some parts, one may come across food product packages, containing potassium bromate, warning of cancer.
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
One of the most common food additive, food enhancer and flavoring agent, Monosodium Glutamate or MSG, is commonly found in Chinese cuisine. It is found in a variety of packaged and processed sauces, salad dressing, gravy, soy sauce; fish, chicken and sausage products. Monosodium Glutamate side effects include headache, nausea, migraine, Alzheimer’s disease, abdominal inflammation, and sudden cardiac death.
Aspartame
If you are a regular user of Nutra-sweet and Equal, think twice! It contains aspartame which is also one of the most dangerous food additives today. Apart from these products, it is also found in diet sodas, and products that claim ‘no sugar’. Aspartame is linked to several cancer types like leukemia, lymphoma, etc. It is specially advised not to be used during pregnancy. Dangers of aspartame also include weight loss, hair loss, memory loss, confusion, etc.
Sodium Nitrate
Most of the preserved meats contains a dangerous food additive that is sodium nitrate. Foods like hotdogs, bacon, ham, smoked fish, breakfast sausages, luncheon meats, corned beef, etc, contain this food additive which is believed to turn carcinogenic when exposed to the acid in the stomach. Regular consumption of cured meats is also believed to be one of the reasons for causing cancer in people.
Olestra
Olestra is fat substitute, used as a food additive, widely popular under the brand name Olean. This foodchem additive is harmful to the human body as it does not get absorbed in the body. Consumption of this product leads to abdominal discomfort, stomach cramps, diarrhea, flatulence, etc. On the other hand, regular consumption of this product also decreases the body’s ability to absorb natural and beneficial fats.
Dangerous Food Additives List
Apart from the above mentioned harmful ones, there are several other food additives to avoid. The following is a list of such products that one should be aware of and avoid completely.
Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), Calcium Disodium EDTA, Carrageenan, Cyclamate, Disodium Guanylate, Disodium Inosinate, Food Colors, Preservatives, Propyl Gallate, Sucralose, Saccharin, Sodium benzoate, Stevia, Sulfites.
These were some of the most dangerous food additives food additives that you need to avoid, as they are harmful to health. Rather than adding the spice and color to your food artificially, you can favor food safety by opting for natural, freshly made and raw food to have a healthy and disease free life! Take care!