| Would you believe that the average American family | | | | to cause brain nerve cell damage in animal studies. In |
| spends a staggering 90 percent of its food budget on | | | | humans, nausea and headaches are possible side |
| processed foods? And if you check the label of most | | | | effects. |
| processed foods you'll find an array of preservatives, | | | | > Olestra - This synthetic fat can be found in some |
| artificial food additives, flavor enhancers, and food | | | | brands of potato chips. It is not absorbed by the |
| colorings. Now instead of farm-fresh foods, chemical | | | | digestive system, so it has no calories. Possible side |
| additives from processed foods have become a | | | | effects include abdominal cramps, gas, and diarrhea |
| significant part of the American diet. | | | | and loose bowels. Olestra has been shown to inhibit |
| Food manufactures include these additives to make | | | | the body's ability to absorb fat-soluble carotenoids |
| their products taste and look more appealing and to | | | | from vegetable and fruits. |
| increase the product's shelf life. After all, when you buy | | | | > Potassium Bromate - This additive is used to |
| strawberry yogurt or ice cream, you expect it to have | | | | increase the volume in breads and rolls. Animal studies |
| a reddish color and not a bland color. What we are not | | | | have linked it to cancer and it may pose a potential risk |
| told is that some of the common food additives in | | | | for humans. |
| everyday products can have long-term negative | | | | > Propyl Gallate - This preservative is sometimes |
| consequences on our health. | | | | found in chewing gum, meat products, vegetable oils, |
| Below is a list of thirteen food additives that should be | | | | potato sticks, and chicken soup base. It helps slow |
| avoided whenever possible: | | | | down spoilage in oils and fats. Results from animal |
| > Acesulfame K (potassium) - This artificial | | | | studies suggest that it may cause cancer. |
| sweetener (200 times sweeter than sugar) is typically | | | | > Saccharin - This artificial sweetener is 350 times |
| found in gelatin deserts, chewing gum, diet sodas, and | | | | sweeter than sugar and is found in sweetener packs, |
| baked goods. The testing for this relatively new | | | | soft drinks, diet and "no sugar added" products. Animal |
| additive has not been very extensive, but early | | | | studies have shown that it is linked to urinary bladder |
| indications are that it may cause cancer in laboratory | | | | cancer. The diet-food industry acknowledges that |
| rats. | | | | saccharin may be linked to cancer in rats, but believes |
| > Artificial Food Colorings: Blue 1,2; Green 3; Red 3; | | | | that the same results would not occur in humans. |
| Yellow 6 - These food coloring are commonly found in | | | | > Sodium Chloride - Commonly know as salt, this |
| many of the foods on the supermarket shelves. Blue 1 | | | | additive is used to enhance the flavor of food. But |
| and 2 have been linked to a small risk of cancer in | | | | excessive use of salt or consuming foods high in |
| mice. These are found in baked goods, candy, | | | | sodium can lead to high blood pressure, kidney |
| beverages, and even pet food. Green 3 has been | | | | problems, heart attack and stroke. |
| linked to bladder cancer. It can be found in beverages | | | | > Sodium Nitrate (or Sodium Nitrite) - This additive is |
| and candy. Red 3 has been found to promote growth | | | | used to preserve, enhance color, and improve the |
| of thyroid tumors in rats. It is generally found in baked | | | | flavor of ham, lunch meat, hotdogs, corn beef, and |
| goods, candy, and fruit cocktail. Yellow 6 has been | | | | smoked fish. Meat processors use nitrate and nitrite |
| linked to tumors in the kidneys and adrenal glands. It is | | | | because they stabilize the red color in meat (otherwise |
| found in baked goods, candy, beverages, gelatin, and | | | | it would look gray) and help prevent the growth of |
| sausage. | | | | botulism causing bacteria. Studies have suggested |
| > Aspartame - This sweetener is typically found in | | | | these additives may cause certain types of cancer. |
| no sugar diet foods such as diet sodas, drink mixes, | | | | > Trans Fat - This additive is typically found in food |
| gelatins, and low-calorie desserts. It is also sold under | | | | served at fast food restaurants and certain crackers, |
| the brand names of Nutrasweet and Equal. The | | | | icing, and microwave popcorn. Trans fats may cause |
| compounds in aspartame can break down into a highly | | | | heart problems. |
| reactive chemical that damages cells. Some possible | | | | > White Sugar - Sugar is a common ingredient in |
| side effects include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and | | | | baked goods, crackers, cereals, desserts, sauces, and |
| breathing problems. | | | | many other processed foods. The average person |
| > BHA and BHT (butylated hydroxyanisole and | | | | consumes about 65 pounds of sugar per year. |
| butylated hydrozyttoluene) - These are preservatives | | | | Excessive sugar can lead to obesity and other harmful |
| typically found in everyday household foods such as | | | | health conditions. |
| vegetable oils, potato chips, cereals, and chewing gum. | | | | Unfortunately, these food additives are present in |
| They help retard fats and oils from becoming rancid. | | | | many of the foods on the supermarket shelves. |
| They have an oxidizing affect, which can produce | | | | Check the labels and if you see one or more of these |
| potentially cancer causing reactions in the cells. | | | | are present. If so, a health-conscious shopper should |
| > Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) - MSG is an amino | | | | consider other alternative products. If you see other |
| acid used to enhance the flavor in such items as chips, | | | | additives that concern you, do a search for them on |
| salad dressings, frozen entrees, and soups. MSG | | | | the internet and you likely find a description of the |
| allows manufacturers to reduce the amount of real | | | | additive along with any possible harmful side effects. |
| ingredients they put in their products. It has been found | | | | |