I’m diving right in to Food Additives today. In case you missed part I, here is Scary: Food Additives Part I.
When it rains, it pours. I’m sure you’ve been there at some point in your life.
Food additives kind of follow this same pattern.
When there are no food additives in food, our bodies bleed rainbows.
But if there is one food additive, there are likely to be several in that specific item. When it rains, it pours. Additives bleed other additives. In turn, they bleed right through our guts.
7 Scary Food Additives to Avoid
Sodium Nitrate
Sodium Nitrate is used as a preservative and color fixative in cured meats and poultry. It is a chemical compound and has also been used for things such as fertilizer and gunpowder.
Foods it is commonly found in: deli meats, cured meats and poultry and smoked salmon.
Of interest: Sodium Nitrate is also a natural component to many vegetables. These vegetables contain the likes of: spinach, lettuce and root vegetables like potatoes and carrots. Sodium Nitrate has been linked to gastric cancer (cancer of the stomach) as well as colorectal cancer (colon or bowel cancer).
Olestra
Olestra (also known by its brand name Olean) is a fat substitute that adds no fat, calories, or cholesterol to products.
Foods it is commonly found in: It’s not very commonly found anymore, but since it is Procter & Gamble’s synthetic fat, it was found in chips, crackers and similar foods.
Of interest: Upon consuming Olestra, you might think you’ve suddenly developed the flu or IBS. You likely haven’t. The problem is that Olestra can cause diarrhea and loose stools, abdominal cramps, flatulence, and other adverse effects. Those symptoms are sometimes severe. Sounds super sexy, right?!
Propyl Gallate
Propyl Gallate is frightening. Period. If you must know what it is, though, it’s propyl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate is “an ester formed by the condensation of gallic acid and propanol.” It is used to protect oils and fats in products from oxidation.
Foods it is commonly found in: meat products, microwavable popcorn, soup mixes, chewing gum, mayo and frozen meals. (via 10 Things to Know about Propyl Gallate)
Of interest: Although the FDA considers it safe, other countries have banned it (also from 10 Things to Know about Propyl Gallate source above).
Butylated Hydroxyanisole
Butylated Hydroxyanisole = BHA. It is a waxy solid used as a food additive in mostly fatty foods.
Foods it is commonly found in: processed fats and oils (make note: processed, not pure), packaged cereals, snack foods and desserts and packaged and pre-cooked meats and poultry.
Of interest: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services considers BHA to be “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” And still, the Food and Drug Administration permits BHA to be used in foods.
Monosodium Glutamate
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is the sodium salt of glutamic acid. It is used as a flavor enhancer because it balances, blends and rounds the total perception of other tastes. MSG on its own doesn’t really have a flavor, but when mixed with other ingredients, a flavor emerges. The use of MSG allows companies to reduce the amount of real ingredients in their foods, such as chicken in chicken soup.
Foods it is commonly found in: soup, salad dressing, chips, frozen entrees, restaurant foods.
Of interest: The “MSG symptom complex” was originally termed as the “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome” when Robert Ho Man Kwok anecdotally reported the symptoms he felt after an American-Chinese meal. Kwok suggested multiple reasons behind the symptoms, including alcohol from cooking with wine, the sodium content, or the MSG seasoning. But MSG became the focus and the symptoms have been associated with MSG ever since. Many people are intolerant or allergic to MSG. Symptoms include things such as: headaches, rushing heartbeat, flushing, nausea and chest pain. Anyone that has Celiac Disease or a wheat/gluten intolerance should avoid MSG, as MSG is often made from wheat.
Aspartame (Nutrasweet)
Aspartame is an artificial, non-saccharide sweetener used as a sugar substitute in some foods and beverages. It was initially thought to be the perfect artificial sweetener, but it might cause cancer or neurological problems such as dizziness or hallucinations.
Foods it is commonly found in: “Diet” foods, including soft drinks, drink mixes, gelatin desserts, low-calorie frozen desserts, packets.
Of interest: According to Joseph Mercola, “Aspartame accounts for over 75 percent of the adverse reactions to food additives reported to the FDA. Many of these reactions are very serious including seizures and death.” Aspartame has been known to cause cancer, as well as have contraindications for women and pre-term labor.
Potassium Bromate
Potassium Bromate is a bromate of potassium and takes the form of white crystals or powder. It typically used as a flour improver, strengthening the dough and allowing higher rising.
Foods it is commonly found in: white flour, bread and rolls.
Of interest: Most bromate rapidly breaks down to form innocuous bromide. However, bromate itself causes cancer in animals. The tiny amounts of bromate that may remain in bread pose a small risk to consumers. Bromate has been banned virtually worldwide except in Japan and the United States. It is rarely used in California because a cancer warning might be required on the label. In 1999, the Center for Science in the Public Interest petitioned the FDA to ban bromate. Since then, numerous millers and bakers have stopped using bromate.
I’ll be back with more tomorrow.
What do you think is the scariest food additive?
Love your guts,
SKH