While trying to eat as many whole foods as possible, processed foods still end up in my diet. Below are the 9 ingredients you should try to avoid.
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This article looks at processed foods and their ingredients.
Artificial Colors:
Linked to allergic reactions, fatigue, asthma, skin rashes, hyperactivity and headaches.
Red No.2 dye was previously shown to produce cancerous changes in experimental animals and subsequently removed from general use.
Several major studies show academic performance increased and disciplinary problems decreased in large non-ADD student populations when artificial ingredients, including artificial colors, were eliminated from school food programs ("The Impact of a Low Food Additive and Sucrose Diet on Academic Performance in 803 New York City Public Schools").
Artificial Flavorings:
Linked to allergic reactions, dermatitis, eczema, hyperactivity and asthma.
Can affect enzymes, RNA and thyroid.
Many artificial flavorings are derived from petroleum. Yummy.
Artificial Sweeteners:
Can negatively impact metabolism.
Some have been linked to cancer, dizziness hallucinations and headaches.
In the United States, the FDA banned the sale of cyclamate in 1970 after lab tests in rats involving a 10:1 mixture of cyclamate and saccharin indicated that large amounts of cyclamates causes bladder cancer, a disease to which rats are particularly susceptible. I remember my mother throwing out all her diet sodas when this happened.
Benzoate Preservatives:
May result in hyperactivity, angiodema, asthma, rhinitis, dermatitis, tumors and urticaria.
Can affect estrogen balance and levels.
These are added to cereals and grain products to prevent them from taking in oxygen and changing color, odor and flavor.
Brominated Vegetable Oil:
Increases triglycerides and cholesterol
Can damage liver, testicles, thyroid, heart and kidneys.
In one instance a man who consumed two to four liters of a cola containing BVO on a daily basis experienced memory loss, tremors, fatigue, loss of muscle coordination, headache, ptosis of the right eyelid as well as elevated serum chloride.In the two months it took to correctly diagnose the problem the patient also lost the ability to walk.
High Fructose Corn Syrup:
May predispose the body to turn fructose into fat
Increases risk for Type-2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke and cancer. Isn’t easily metabolized by the liver.
There is some evidence that sodas sweetened with HFCS may contribute to the development of diabetes in children.
MSG
(Monosodium Glutamate):
May stimulate appetite and cause headaches, nausea, weakness, wheezing, edema, change in heart rate, burning sensations and difficulty in breathing.
There have been rare reports that people with asthma who have consumed MSG have more severe asthma attacks. I do not allow MSG in my house as my husband is up all night with difficulty breathing and an unstoppable thirst.
Olestra:
Inhibits absorption of some nutrients.
Linked to gastrointestinal disease, diarrhea, gas, cramps, bleeding and incontinence.
Olestra (brand name Olean), is now being used to make eco-friendly paints and lubricants. Remember the side effect of anal leakage? Now it is available in paint. Who knew?
Shortening, Hydrogenated and Partially Hydrogenated Oils:
Contain high levels of trans fats, which raise bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol, contributing to risk of heart disease.
If you want a quick meal here are the
10 most common ingredients in fast food.
- Citric Acid - The most common preservative
- High Fructose Corn Syrup - The most common sweetener
- Caramel Color - The most common color additive
- Salt - The most common flavor or spice
- Monosodium Glutamate - The most common flavor enhancer
- Niacin - The most common nutrient
- Soybean Oil - The most common oil or fat
- Mono and Diglyceride - The most common emulsifiers
- Xanthan Gum - The most common thickener
- Chicken - The most common meat product
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What foods and/or chemicals do you try to exclude from your diet and why?
Have you had any negative experiences with the food ingredients listed above?
Or, alternatively, this is also an open thread. How is you week going so far?
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