Food additives
- 3. DEFINITION Food additives are chemicals that keep food fresh or enhance its colour, flavour or texture Historically, Foods were grown, collected, and eaten directly from a relatively unpolluted earth. wild foods were sought and gathered. cleaner oceans, lakes and rivers fed us nutritious fish. As the human population grew exponentially, farming progressed, trade developed, and local markets shared a variety of goods among a diversity of people. Techniques for food preparation and preservation, such as pickling, salting, and smoking, were developed to deal with the new problems of storage, waste, and food-borne illnesses. With advanced technology, our modern food industry’s reliance on processing and additives continues to increase. this seemingly abundance of foodstuffs found in our supermarkets of today is deceiving our bodies by selling foods products that are chemically altered and designed to appeal to us.
- 4. Key Additives to Avoid and Their Health Risks 1.Hydrogenated Fats—cardiovascular disease, obesity 2.Artificial Food Colors—allergies, asthma, hyperactivity; possible carcinogen 3.Nitrites and Nitrates—these substances can develop into nitrosamines in body, which can be carcinogenic 4.Sulfites (sulfur dioxide, metabisulfites, and others)—allergic and asthmatic reactions 5.Sugar and Sweeteners—obesity, dental cavities, diabetes and hypoglycemia, increased triglycerides (blood fats) or candida (yeast)
- 5. 6.Artificial Sweeteners (Aspartame, Acesulfame K and Saccharin)—behavioral problems, hyperactivity, allergies, and possibly carcinogenic. The government cautions against the use of any artificial sweetener by children and pregnant women. Anyone with PKU (phenylketonuria—a problem of phenylalanine, an amino acid, metabolism) should not use aspartame (Nutrasweet). 7.MSG (monosodium glutamate)—common allergic and behavioral reactions, including headaches, dizziness, chest pains, depression and mood swings; also a possible neurotoxin 8.Preservatives (BHA, BHT, EDTA, etc.)—allergic reactions, hyperactivity, possibly cancer-causing; BHT may be toxic to the nervous system and the liver 9.Artificial Flavors—allergic or behavioral reactions 10. Refined Flour—low-nutrient calories, carbohydrate imbalances, altered insulin production 11. Salt (excessive)—fluid retention and blood pressure increases 12. Olestra (an artificial fat)—diarrhea and digestive disturbances Key Additives to Avoid and Their Health Risks
- 6. SOLUTION Begin by avoiding the most questionable additives. Make a decision to either cut down on or cut out altogether those food additives that may be hazardous to your health. Although it may seem difficult to change habits and find substitutes for foods you enjoy, remind yourself that you will be adding to your diet some new wholesome foods that you will come to enjoy even more. Look for foods that are not packaged and processed, but enjoy nature’s own bounty of fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, nuts and seeds. Find foods that resemble what they looked like when they were originally grown.
- 7. Thank You!