Food shoppers looking to impact their diet and overall long-term health should be wary of specific food additives which may be doing more harm than good. Some of the names may sound familiar, while others may not, in either case you want to try to avoid or minimize your intake of food with these additives or preservatives listed on the food ingredients label.
§ MSG (monosodium glutamate): used as a flavor enhancer in many foods; contains a chemical additive shown to harm nerve cells; regular consumption of MSG stimulates appetite, therefore, contributing to potential weight gain.
§ Aspartame: a common artificial sweetener; not only believed to be a carcinogenic (cancer producer), it can produce neuro-“toxic” effects such as headaches, dizziness, blurry vision and gastrointestinal problems; its included in over 600 products under such names as NutraSweet, Equal, Splenda, and Sweet ‘n’ Low.
§ High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS): a highly refined sweetener derived from corn starch, converted into corn syrup through acid hydrolysis; number one source of calories in the American diet contributing to weight gain and development of diabetes; found in sodas, slad dressings, breads, cereals, soups, yogurts and condiments.
§ Agave Nectar/Syrup: derived from the agave cactus plant (from Mexico); contains the highest amount of fructose (55-97%) of all sweetener additives; repeated consumption increases insulin resistance, the precursor to Type 2 diabetes; main cause of fatty liver disease; found in ice creams, energy bars, cereal, ketchup and other sauces.
§ Artificial Food Coloring: a petroleum derivative added to foods in the form of a dye to give them a natural looking color; most common dyes (Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6) known to contain carcinogens; found in a wide variety of processed foods and fast foods, be sure to check label.
§ BHA and BHT: used as preservatives in many foods to prevent oxidation and extend shelf life; have been shown to form potentially cancer-causing compounds in the body; found in packaging materials, cereals, sausages, hot dogs, meat patties, chewing gum, potato chips, beer, butter, vergeatble oils and cosmetics.
§ Sodium Nitrite and Sodium Nitrate: used to preserve food; when added to meats can increase risk for certain types of cancer; found in cured meats, bacon, ham, salami, corned beef, hot dogs, pate, canned meats, smoked salmon, dried fish and jerky.
§ Potassium Bromate: additive used to increase volume in some bread, rolls and flours; shown to cause cancer in animals; found in most commercially baked breads.
§ Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBCH): used to boost milk production in cows; contains high levels of insulin-like growth factor, excess levels of which have been implicated in major causes of breast, colon, and prostate cancers; found in all dairy products not specifically labeled, “No rGBH or rBST”.
§ Refined Vegetable Oil: refined vegetable oils including soybean oils, corn oil, safflower oil, canola oil and peanut oil; chemical refining process removes natural vitamins and minerals and these oils are high in Omega-6 fatty acid, which neutralizes benefits of Omega-3’s in your diet; most processed foods, such as crackers and baked goods contain these vegetable oils.
This list, by no means exhaustive, illustrates the importance of reading the ingredients label of the food you buy for consumption in your home or when dining out at fast food restaurants. If you are going to consume foods with any of these ingredients it’s in your interest to minimize the amount you take in each day.
O’Meagher Farms promotes healthier eating by offering a variety of tasty, all natural foods (which are plant-based) on its website. Please visit us at http://www.omeagherfarms.com.
[Source: James Healthy, myhealingkitchen.com]
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