I have discussed some of the toxins found in modern diets and the damage they can do to our health. How in the world are you supposed to remember what is good and what is bad when there are so many distinct foods, chemicals, preservatives, vitamins, and minerals, many of which have several names? How am I supposed to be able to sort through all of this for me and my family? Are we really eating that bad or can food really be causing some of our symptoms?
Did you know according to the Environmental Working Group, more than 10,000 food additives are allowed for use in foods sold in the U.S.
Let's examine some of these potentially dangerous substances in more detail.
Nitrates and nitrites
Nitrates and nitrites by themselves are not dangerous; rather, human health is endangered when they transform into nitrosamines.
Nitrates and nitrites are found naturally in spinach and celery, as well as a little vitamin C and other compounds that work together to stop the nitrates and nitrites from converting into harmful nitrosamines.
Nothing prevents nitrates and nitrites from turning into nitrosamines when they are manually added to food. They only become dangerous and raise the chance of developing cancer when they are transformed.
Organic foods, which do not allow synthetic nitrates and nitrites, are the best way to avoid these substances.
BHA – Butylated hydroxyanisole and BHT – Butylated hydroxytoluene
BHA and BHT are common preservatives found in processed and cured meats, respectively, as well as in numerous cereals and snacks. There is proof that BHA and BHT can both disrupt hormone balance and impair our reproductive system. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, BHA is a known carcinogen.
BHA and BHTs can be avoided by reading ingredient labels, avoiding foods that have been through a lot of processing, and choosing organic foods, which are free of BHA and BHTs.
Titanium Dioxide
It is used in the U.S to make the colors of candies and sweets more vibrant and enticing.
In 2021, the European Food Safety Authority conducted a research to reevaluate the usage of titanium dioxide in food. This study discovered that titanium dioxide particles can build up in the body and that genotoxicity—the capacity of titanium dioxide in food to harm chromosomes and break DNA strands—cannot be completely ruled out. Therefore it was banned in Europe.
You can avoid titanium dioxide by checking labels, and avoiding highly processed foods and candies.
Artificial Sweeteners
Sucralose, acesulfame potassium, and aspartame are the top three artificial sweeteners used in the United States. Sorbitol, erythritol, and maltitol are sugar alcohols that are frequently used with artificial sweeteners.
It has been demonstrated that these artificial sweeteners alter metabolism and encourage weight gain. The sweeteners may become addictive as a result.
The FDA permits a number of potentially dangerous and harmful additives in the foods we eat, including those mentioned above. All of this information was provided by the EWG if you want more specifics. The top 12 food additives to avoid can be found on the EWG website at https://www.ewg.org/sites/default/files/2022-07/EWG_DD-FoodChem_C02.pdf . For further information, visit the above link.
I appreciate you reading my blog. I hope you've learned something useful that you can take with you. In about 2 weeks, my next go-to dish will be available, can't wait to hear what ya'll think!
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