admin Bad ingredients are rampant in grocery store foods. They are added to our foods for a variety of reasons, including cost reduction, aesthetics, and sometimes even to disguise themselves as healthier options.
By marketing food as low-fat, sugar-free, or diet, big brands are seducing retailers into buying a “healthier” option–when really, these artfully deceptive words indicate that a product requires chemical alterations/additions that can ultimately make the food even more harmful for our bodies than the traditional version.
Numerous studies have revealed that the consumption of certain ingredients can lead to negative health effects, such as obesity and hypertension. Here are some of the ingredients to avoid.
High Fructose corn syrup
High fructose Corn Syrup is the most common bad ingredient. It is cheaper than sugar, and it is made from cornstarch. It is added to many products, including cereals, snacks, and breads.
Consuming high amounts of caffeine has been linked to type 2 diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure.
Aspartame
Aspartame, a sweetener manufactured chemically to mimic sugar, is 200 times sweeter compared to sugar. Aspartame has been linked to metabolic syndrome, such as insulin resistance and glucose tolerance.
Some researchers have also called for a reevaluation of the current regulatory status of aspartame. They claim that the artificial sweetener could cause cancer.
Hydrogenated oils
Hydrogenated oils are created by adding hydrogen to vegetable oil to increase shelf life. Trans-fats are made when oil is altered. These fats have been linked to negative health effects.
Consumption of trans-fat-containing foods like margarine, fried food, and coffee creamer has demonstrated lowered good cholesterol (HDL) and raised bad cholesterol (LDL), thus resulting in increased risk for heart disease.
Artificial Colors
Artificial food dyes are used in beverages, desserts, cheeses, and candies to enhance color and have no nutritional value.
Artificial food coloring is regulated and assessed in the European Union. It even requires a label to be used. This dangerous ingredient has been associated with cancer, tumors, and ADHD.
Polysorbate 80/Polysorbate60
Polysorbate 80 and Polysorbate 60 are emulsifiers that can be found in food, cosmetics, medicine, and vaccines. Weird, but it’s getting weirder…Polysorbate 80 is commonly combined in ice cream to reduce its meltability and provide a smoother texture.
What about Polysorbate 60, then? It is a thickener and stabilizer that’s often found in powdered mixes. (Think baked goods, gelatin, or drinks.) These additives are linked to a reduction in fertility as well as an anaphylactoid reaction.
BHT/BHA
Butylated Hydroxyanisole and Butylated Hydroxytoluene are both food additives that can be found in rubber, pesticides, and petroleum products.
BHT and BHA, which are banned as food additives in many countries (Canada, Australia, and Japan), can be found in chewing gum, processed meat, and enriched rice. BHA/BHT may be linked to cancer in studies. The National Institutes of Health Toxicology has classified BHA as “possibly causing cancer” in humans.
On your next supermarket trip, be sure to read labels and check ingredient lists. Remember to purchase fresh foods to avoid bad ingredients and for a healthier lifestyle. Avoid aisles that contain processed foods, such as packaged meats, frozen foods, soft drinks, and chips. Enjoy your shopping!
