The 5 Worst

Food Additives

What are Food Additives?

Food additives are substances which aren’t a natural product of a food item…

What are Food Additives?

…but are found in that item when sold in a grocery store.

Are Food Additives Bad for You?

Yes and no. It depends on the type of food additives you’re consuming.

Food processors often add various vitamins and minerals into consumables to make them healthier and more appealing to consumers.

Additives used to improve the quality of the product are bad for human consumption.

1. Sodium Nitrate

Sodium nitrate is a common additive in processed meat, including jerky and bacon.

Why you should avoid it:

Sodium nitrate causes hardening of the arteries, which increases the risk of heart disease and other heart problems.

This substance can increase the risk of certain types of cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

2. Aspartame

Aspartame is an artificial sweetener used as a sugar substitute in some foods and beverages.

Why you should avoid it:

Adverse effects of aspartame includes migraine and the following:

Weight gain

Depression

Memory loss

Vision problems

3. Sulfites

Sulfites have been used as preservatives in beer and wine, potatoes, shrimp, fruits and vegetables.

Why you should avoid it:

Some people have extreme allergic reactions to the additive, and others can have breathing problems (including asthma).

4. Antibiotics in animal products

Antibiotic consumptions can contribute to antibiotic resistance in humans.

Why you should avoid it:

Resistant bacteria can cause infections that are harder to treat, requiring the use of medicines with greater side effects.

5. MSG

Monosodium glutamate is a flavor enhancer used in canned foods, soups, and many Chinese food products.

Why you should avoid it:

Adverse reactions to foods containing MSG are headache, numbness, flushing, tingling, palpitations, and drowsiness.

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