| Food additives are used to make food appear fresher, | | | | sugar by as much as 200 times. It is common to find |
| more delectable, and longer lasting. In the US, about | | | | this ingredient in baked goodies, gelatin, chewing gum, |
| 3,000 substances can be added by manufacturers to | | | | and sodas. Some studies have shown that this |
| their products in order to help enhance food flavor, | | | | substance can also cause cancers in rats. To date, a |
| increase shelf life, and improve the texture and color | | | | clinical study to confirm its safety in humans is yet to |
| of their food products. Although most of these | | | | be conducted. |
| substances are safe, there are some items that you | | | | Potassium Bromate |
| need to look out for. | | | | Although potassium bromate, which is used in breads, |
| The best way to ensure that you are not consuming | | | | cakes, doughnuts and rolls, can still be used in Japan |
| unhealthy additives is by eating and consuming only | | | | and the US, it is actually banned in other parts of the |
| fresh and whole foods. However if you cannot help | | | | world because of its cancerous threat. The Center for |
| introducing some processed food in your everyday | | | | Science in the Public Interest is actually asking the US |
| diet, just make sure that you stay away from | | | | Food and Drug Administration to ban the use of |
| products that contain dangerous food additives. Here | | | | potassium bromate because clinical research found |
| are seven of the most unhealthful substances that you | | | | that it can cause cancer in rats. |
| need to avoid and exclude from the list of ingredients | | | | Sodium Nitrate |
| in the food that you eat or feed your family. | | | | The ingredient used to preserve, add color and flavor |
| BHA and BHT | | | | bacon, hot dogs, corned beef and other processed or |
| Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and butylated | | | | cured meats is sodium nitrate. Many studies have |
| hydroxyanisole (BHA) are used to make sure fats | | | | shown that this food additive is responsible for the |
| don't go rancid immediately. These substances are | | | | development of nitrosamines, which have been |
| quite common ingredients in cereals, vegetable oil, | | | | confirmed to cause cancer. Research shows that |
| chewing gum, and chips. Some studies show that BHA | | | | there is a direct link between cancer in humans and |
| and BHT cause cancer in rats. According to World | | | | the immoderate consumption of food containing |
| Health Organization's International Agency for | | | | sodium nitrate. |
| Research on Cancer, BHA could cause cancer in | | | | Red # 3 |
| humans. In fact, BHA is labeled as a carcinogen in the | | | | A popular coloring included in candies, baked goods |
| State of California. | | | | and cherries is the red # 3 dye. Experts believe that |
| Aspartame | | | | this can increase risk for thyroid tumors in rats as well |
| One artificial sweetener that is used in diet sodas and | | | | as in humans. Presently, the FDA is looking at |
| other low-cal products is aspartame. In the 70's, | | | | completely banning the use of this red dye. In the |
| several studies have already shown that aspartame | | | | meantime, just be on guard for baked and processed |
| can cause brain tumors in rats. In 2005, another study | | | | foods that contain this ingredient. |
| has confirmed that even just a small amount of this | | | | Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil |
| substance can increase the risk of developing brain | | | | Many canned goods, potato chips, baked goods and |
| tumors as well as leukemia and lymphomas in rats. | | | | many other foods available in the market contain |
| Some people also experience dizziness, headaches | | | | hydrogenated vegetable oil, which is responsible for |
| and hallucination after taking food that is loaded with | | | | creating trans fat. According to the Institute of |
| aspartame. | | | | Medicine, consumers should stay away from food that |
| Acesulfame-K | | | | contains trans fat because it elevates risk for diabetes |
| Another artificial sweetener that you should avoid is | | | | and other heart problems. |
| acesulfame-K, which is considered to be sweeter than | | | | |