Most natural food or ingredients usually have a short-shelf life. However, those yummy noodles you slurp, packet of chips you crave for and canned fruit preserves that silently scream ‘diabetes’, are made to last longer than they should, by big food companies using some (nasty) key ingredients. So here’s what makes some food, a party for your taste buds but can be poison for your body.1
1. Monosodium Glutamate
(MSG) is an amino acid and the most common flavor enhancer in processed food.
Found In
Various processed foods such as potato chips and similar snacks, salad dressings, canned meats, soups, frozen or ready-to-eats (including Campbell’s Chicken Soup, Cheez-Its etc.)
It’s Bad Because
It possesses a neurotoxin chemical called excitotoxin, that damages and sometimes even kills nerve cells by overexciting them. In the long-term, it can lead to complicated neurological disorders and obesity, especially from regular consumption.
Other Names
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Yeast extract, Glutamate, Barley Malt, Calcium Caseinate etc.
2. Aspartame
Aspartame are artificial sweeteners.
Found In
Diet-soda, juices, sugar-free candies, heat-and-eat breakfasts, desserts, making about 6000 products in the market.
It’s Bad Because
It is also an excitotoxin and can be carcinogenic, cause neurological side-effects like headaches, dizziness, and deteriorate the gastrointestinal walls. Containing 10% methanol, the body converts it into formaldehyde, which is a potent toxin to the nerves, causing reported toxic reactions for those who eat a lot of food with it.
Other Names
Sugar-free capsules, Saccharine, Equal, Spoonful, etc.
3. High Fructose Corn Syrup
(HFCS) is a refined-sweetener where the corn starch separated from corn kernel, is turned into sweetened corn syrup using acid hydrolysis.
Found In
Various manufactured products under popular brands of, Kraft, Quaker, Hunts, Nurti-Gain, caustic soda and more.
It’s Bad Because
Most HFCS food are made from genetically-modified corn, the highest source of calories that lead to obesity, diabetes, cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, arthritis and are catalysts for insulin resistance. A 2009 study by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy said almost half the samples of commercially distributed HFCS, had mercury, a heavy and toxic liquid metal.
Other Names
Glucose or fructose syrup, corn syrup, iso-glucose etc.
4. Agave Nectar
Agave Nectar is a heavily processed food sweetener extracted from a cactus, majorly imported from Mexico to the US, called agave (also used to make Tequila).
Found In
Flavored yoghurts, sauces, energy bars, sodas, breads, cereals, soups, ice creams, and Agave sweetener.
It’s Bad Because
amongst all commercially sold sweeteners it contains around 50 to 90% fructose, proven to cause insulin resistance, a symptom of Type-2 diabetes. The liver also processes and converts it into fatty deposits. So eating excessive amounts, increases uric acid levels, causing inflammation in the lower body organs, which can lead to fatty liver disease, high-blood sugar and blood pressure.
Other Names
Agave Syrup
5. Artificial Food Coloring
Artificial Food Coloring is the additive used to give your food, a burst of color, just like those tie-and-dye inks for clothes.
Found In
Most beverages, jams, Mac and cheese, candies, puddings, condiments, fast food, ice creams, meat and fish, to give them a fresh look.
It’s Bad Because
as they are made from petroleum and although controversial, many have been prohibited in Europe, because of the ill effects they had on lab-test animals. In a study on food dyes by the Center for Science in the Public Interest’s (CSPI), the commonly used dyes of: Red 40 and 3, Yellow 5 and 6, that are carcinogenic, are still widely distributed in the US. The preservative, sodium benzoate in it can cause hyperactivity, decrease attention span in children, and cause attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), even if the kids were previously healthy.
Other Names
Any names of colors, such as FD&C Blue, FCF Sea Green etc.
6. Butylated hydroxyanisole
(BHA) and butylated hydrozyttoluene (BHT) are common preservatives used in many food products to extend shelf life by inhibiting oxidization.
Found In
Packaging materials, cosmetics, frozen meats like sausages and patties, cereals, potato chips, chewing gum, beer, butter, vegetable oils, and animal food.
It’s Bad Because
They are oxidants, that can stimulate production of cancer-causing cells in the body, as confirmed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Other Names
Oxidants
7. Sodium Nitrite And Sodium Nitrate
Sodium Nitrite and Sodium Nitrate are chemicals that help preserve meat.
Found In
Most meats like salmon, dried fish, bacon, hot dogs, canned meats like Vienna sausages etc.
It’s Bad Because
After entering the meat, these chemicals get converted into nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic, especially when stored at high temperatures. In 2007, The World Cancer Research Fund stated that consuming up to 2 ounces of processed meat daily, increases cancer risk by 20%.
Other Names
Nitrate soda and Chile saltpeter.
8. Potassium Bromate
Potassium Bromate is a bromide that is added to fluff up breads and flour.
Found In
Baked food in the US, like Wonder Bread, Sunbeam, some toothpaste and mouthwash.
It’s Bad Because
Evidence shows that it causes cancer in animals and is prohibited in Canada, Europe, and few other countries. Since 1991, the FDA ban, discouraged bakers from using it too.
Other Names
Bromic acid, potassium salt, enriched flour etc.
9. Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone
(rBGH) is a genetically engineered strand of a natural growth hormone made in cows, to increase milk production.
Found In
Danon, General Mills, Wal-Mart, Starbucks, and more (but it is never labeled on the containers).
It’s Bad Because
Milk from these cows have excess insulin-like growth factors (IGF-1), which can cause breast, colon and prostate cancers. The hormone also induces mastitis in cows, creating pus and blood that seep into the milk. Adverse effects include antibiotic resistance and hastening puberty in girls.
Other Names
Recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST).
10. Refined Vegetable Oil
Refined Vegetable Oil comes in many commercial cooking oils, like corn, canola, peanut etc.
Found In
Baked and fried food, cooking oils, margarines etc.
It’s Bad Because
It is made from seed extraction to chemical deodorizing and bleaching at high temperatures. This eliminates the natural minerals that are good for us, but preserves the omega-6 fatty acid, which causes inflammation, blood-cholesterol and heart disease.
Other Names
Hydrogenated oils
References
