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Five food additives to avoid

If you buy a lot of packaged, processed foods, you should be concerned about the multitude of food additives you see listed on the ingredient label. Manufacturers have the option of adding thousands of potential food additives to products that they sell to the public, many of which can cause food allergies and health problems. Convenience may dictate that you buy some pre-packaged foods, so it’s important to be aware of what you’re purchasing. Here are some common food additives you should try to avoid:

Sodium Nitrite
Nitrates are known carcinogens found in highest quantities in processed and smoked meats. Nitrates exert their carcinogenic effect when they are converted to nitrosamines by the acidic environment of the stomach. Cooking meats at high temperatures also produces an environment that encourages the formation of nitrosamines. To avoid these known cancer-causing agents, steer clear of packaged, processed meats and avoid eating meats cooked at high temperatures.

Hydrogenated Oils
Hydrogenated oils are trans fats. Trans fats are of such concern from a health standpoint that they’ve been banned in the state of New York, and it’s likely that other states will follow. To avoid them, carefully read the ingredients on the labels of packaged foods. If you see hydrogenated oils or fractionated oils listed as an additive, choose an alternative.

BHT and BHA
These two additives are found in a variety of packaged products and have the function of preventing foods from becoming rancid. These food additives have been classified as potential carcinogens in humans and have been banned in several countries. Strangely enough, these additives are being studied as possible treatment for certain types of cancer so the verdict is still out on their health effects. They’re probably best avoided until further studies are available.

Food Colorings
Various types of food colorings have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals. Plus, these additives serve no real purpose except to make the food look more appealing. Does it really sound like such a good trade off?

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

This additive is commonly used as a flavor enhancer. You may have heard of the “Chinese restaurant syndrome” where a diner at a Chinese restaurant develops flushing, sweating and headache. These symptoms are thought to be related to the MSG frequently added to food at Asian restaurants. Sensitivity to MSG seems to vary from individual to individual. MSG is found not only in Asian restaurants, but also in a variety of packaged foods including frozen dinners, soups and snack foods.

To avoid these additives, read ingredient labels carefully. By becoming more savvy at reading the ingredients on packaged items at the grocery store, you can reduce your exposure to these potentially harmful additives and possibly prevent future health problems. A little effort can go a long way towards good health.
by
Kristie Leong