Food additives can have harmful affects on one's health when consumed on a regular basis. In the late 1950s, a law was passed identified as the Delaney Clause that has forced companies to keep from putting chemicals into different food products which are fully understood to be harmful to humans. While the latter law is indeed a positive move, there are still additives and preservatives put in food that have been linked with the onset of certain diseases, disorders, and health related issues.
It is imperative that consumers review the ingredients in the foods that one consumes. The labels offer information about the vitamins, nutrients, and other additives and preservatives that have been used to process the food and to keep it fresh. Ingredient labels let consumers know precisely what they are consuming, provided that the consumer reviews the labels with great care. It is also important for the consumer to consider the fact that labels suggesting that that foods are absent of preservatives and additives are not necessarily 100 percent truthful.
It is helpful for consumers to know what kinds of chemicals they are looking for if they want to limit their consumption of additives and preservatives. Common additives and preservatives include things like Sodium Nitrate, Sodium Nitrite, Butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydrozyttoluene, Aspartame, Propyl Gallate, Monosodium Glutamate, Trans Fats, Acesulfame-K, Food Colorings, Olestra, Potassium Bromate, White Sugar, and Sodium Chloride.
Sodium Nitrate/Nitrite has been associated with the development of certain cancers, just as butylated hydrozyttoluene, Butylated hydroxyanisole, Aspartame, Acesulfame-K, Food Colorings, and Propyl Gallate have also been associated with the development of certain cancers. Foods like hot dogs, deli meats, potato chips, certain cereals, and a variety of gums contain the latter preservatives and additives. Potassium Bromate has been associated with the development of cancers in a variety of animals.
Aspartame is associated with a number of health risks. Aspartame is found in products known as artificial sweeteners. People that have used Aspartame that have had a bad reaction to the preservative have complained of a variety of health problems including headaches, vertigo, muscular issues, skin irritation, mood swings, fatigue, anxiety attacks, respiratory issues, sleep problems, tinnitus, and memory loss. More severe issues have also been reported by some individuals including epileptic seizers, birth defects, and the onset of fibromyalgia.
When consumers dine out frequently or eat a lot of fast foods, they are exposing themselves to a lot of Monosodium Glutamate. The latter preservative is used to make foods taste better and many fast food establishments utilize this particular preservative. Fast foods are also loaded with trans-fats. Meanwhile, fast snacks like potato chips are filled with things like Olestra which makes it difficult for the body to properly absorb vitamins and nutrients.
The best thing that a consumer can do is to place a strict limit on the amount of consumed additives and preservatives one consumes. A conscious effort to minimize one's exposure to harmful preservatives and additives will ensure a healthy future. One can begin bettering one's diet by fully examining food content labels of all products purchased for consumption.
Robin's Wellness Resource Center is "Your go-to source for natural health and wellness information." http://www.wellness-bee.com
Robin Reichert is a natural health writer and has been studying natural health for the past 10 years. She is an AFPA Certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant and holds a Master of Science degree in Natural Health. She is also working on a Personal Trainer certification through AFPA. Her passion is lifelong learning and educating others about natural health.
