Are you aware of the common nasties hiding in our food?
Many people might have heard the terms ‘MSG’ and ‘high fructose corn syrup’ being thrown around. But how many of said people what they mean?
While it’s impractical to think you can avoid these additives altogether, always be mindful of what they are and where you can find them. In this way, you can cut down your consumption.
High processed, fatty foods are rife with these kinds of nasties but even seemingly ‘whole’ foods may contain some trace. Our health and fitness experts have researched and compiled a list of the most common nasties found in our everyday diets.
Revealing how they can affect our bodies and brains. From causing minor headaches, fatigue and allergies to contributing towards significant health risks such as:
- Heart disease
- Cancer
Most of the foods products found in an average supermarket usually contain some potentially harmful ingredients. They’re hiding in food products like bread, milk and milk.
Our experts have listed eight of the most harmful food additives below. Feel free to check them out the common nasties hiding in our food.
Eight Common Nasties Hiding in Our Food
1. High Fructose Corn Syrup
Corn syrup is a sweetener made from corn which is popular with food manufacturers due to its lower price. Also, it’s sweeter than the cane sugar ones, and it maintains its moisture while preserving freshness.
All the factors mentioned above are all well and good. However, corn syrup contributes to heart disease and is extremely common in processed food.
Moreover, to accelerating the ageing process, it also raises cholesterol and triglyceride fats in the blood, which makes it more prone to clotting. Yikes!
2. Nitrates/Nitrites
One of the common synthetic food preservatives that you may use to cure meat, such as bacon, is Nitrates.
When nitrates are exposed to high heat during the cooking process, they convert to nitrites.
You can find Nitrites in everything from cheese and wine to chocolate and fish. When being combined with different types of amines, nitrates can form cancer-causing nitrosamines.
3. Artificial Flavouring
Flavouring classed as artificial is necessarily a catch-all term referring to human-made chemicals that have been created in a laboratory to taste the same as natural flavours such as:
- Vanilla
- Strawberry
- Lemon
It’s very common due to its lower price, that’s why they use it in most of the products. However, artificial flavouring causes chest pains, headaches, fatigue, and allergies.
Besides, some studies suggest they can even cause changes in behaviour.
4. Aspartame
One of the commonly used artificial sweeteners in diet drinks and some food products is Aspartame.
Aspartame has been controversial for years and has been reported to cause seizures, headaches, mood disturbances and even cancer.
5. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
Monosodium Glutamate or also known as MSG is a flavour enhancer that is made up of components. You can find these components in our bodies like water, sodium and glutamate.
But the thing is, this doesn’t mean it’s right for you. Many use MSG in seasonings, condiments, and crisps. However, some reports suggest that it can cause headaches, nausea and even seizures.
You may also hear MSG referred to as “hydrolysed soy protein” or “autolysed yeast”.
6. Sodium Benzoate
You are likely to find Sodium Benzoate used as a preservative in both drinks and food items. It is also often found in milk and meat products.
When you choose products where sodium benzoate exists, such as food colourings like carbonated drinks, it can increase the hyperactivity in children.
Not only that, but it can also react with vitamin C in foods like canned vegetables to create a cancer-causing substance called benzene.
7. Emulsifiers
Emulsifiers come from vegetable fats, glycerol and organic acids. Extending the shelf life of bread products, it allows liquids that wouldn’t usually mix, such as oil and water, to combine smoothly.
As a result, you are likely to find Emulsifiers in low-fat spreads, ice cream, margarine, salad dressings and many other creamy sauces. In fact, studies have recommended emulsifiers have the potential to damage the intestinal barrier.
This leads to inflammation, and it increases our risk of chronic disease. Be attentive when checking ingredient labels as some might simply put ’emulsifiers’.
Make sure you’ll also look out for more specific terms like ‘lecithin’, ‘sorbitan monostearate’ and ‘mono-/di-glycerides or fatty acids’.
8. Ammonium Sulphate
Ammonium sulphate is an inorganic salt which many in the baking industry tend to use. Using this as an alternative to salt helps improve the volume and shelf life of bread.
Excessive consumption of the chemical can cause significant short-term gastrointestinal disease.
We hope this article will be an eye-opener for you. Ensure to make enough time checking the ingredients behind the foods/meals you eat, especially the nasties hiding in our food.