Dangerous Chemicals In Foods

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Dangerous Chemicals In Foods

By

Nutrition Correspondent - Every 2nd Thursday

http://www.askmen.com/sports/foodcourt_100/141_eating_well.html

For thousands of years, man ate only fresh food; fruits, vegetables,

grains, and meat went straight from the wilderness or the field to

our plates. Today, a majority of foods found on supermarket shelves

in North America are loaded with potentially harmful chemical

additives, preservatives, and other dangerous substances.

But just how dangerous are artificial sweeteners? How about

antioxidant preservatives? And what's the deal with all those weird-

sounding ingredients you can't even pronounce? Some food additives

aren't necessarily dangerous for everyone and others need more

testing before a definite verdict can be established, but some can

without a doubt pose serious health risks. Read on to find out which

additives you shouldn't touch with a 10-foot pole.

Note: The following additives are all legal in the United States.

preservatives

Propyl gallate

An antioxidant preservative that prolongs the life of fats and oils -

- such as in vegetable oil, chewing gum, meat products, and chicken

soup base -- propyl gallate may cause cancer. It is often used with

BHA and BHT (see below).

BHA & BHT

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)

also delay rancidity in fats, oils, and foods that contain oils,

such as cereals, chewing gum, vegetable oil, and potato chips. Some

studies have shown that both BHA and BHT cause cancer in rats. Since

they can easily be replaced by safer alternatives like vitamin E or

packing under nitrogen instead of air, or even be completely left

out, there is no reason to take the chance; avoid these chemicals as

much as possible.

Sodium nitrite & sodium nitrate

Sodium nitrite is added to cured meat like cold cuts and hot dogs to

keep their color and to give them flavor; sodium nitrate can be used

for the same purpose, as it breaks down into sodium nitrite. In

addition to their preservative functions, they are used to prevent

botulism, a deadly disease transmitted through food.

Unfortunately, during the digestive process, they form cancer-

causing nitrosamines in our intestines. Given this fact, most foods

that contain sodium nitrite are also pumped with vitamin C

derivatives like ascorbate or sodium erythrobate, as vitamin C

prevents nitrosamines from forming. However, if you're still

worried, avoid food containing sodium nitrite or eat vitamin C-rich

foods -- such as oranges, broccoli, green peppers, and Brussels

sprouts -- at the same time.

artificial sweeteners

Saccharin

This sweetener, commercially known as Sweet'N Low, is 350 times

sweeter than sugar; it is used in many diet foods, soft drinks, and

as a tabletop sugar substitute. Several animal studies have shown

that it causes cancer of the bladder, uterus, ovaries, blood

vessels, skin, and various other organs. Even a significant study

conducted by the National Cancer Institute found that it does indeed

cause bladder cancer.

There has been an ongoing battle between the FDA and the diet-food

industry over the past 10 years regarding the ban or use of warning

labels on products containing saccharin, but as of 2000, all

warnings were removed. However, evidence shows that it is probably

safer to stay away from it.

Acesulfame-K

Acesulfame-K is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar and is

used around the world in baked goods, soft drinks, chewing gum, and

gelatin desserts. Although early studies showed no health risks,

they were not the most reliable experiments. Since then, two

separate studies on rats have shown that it may cause cancer.

Although further tests are needed, it is recommended to avoid

acesulfame-K altogether.

An added concern is that the breakdown product of acesulfame-K known

as acetoacetamide affects the thyroid in rats, dogs and rabbits when

administered in large amounts; however, there is no proof that the

amounts found in food are dangerous.

Aspartame

Aspartame is found in the name brands Equal and NutraSweet; it is

composed of methanol and two amino acids. Although originally

believed to be the perfect artificial sweetener, it caused brain

tumors in rats in certain studies conducted in the 1970s.

Although there was much pressure from different groups for further

studies to explore the potential dangers of aspartame, it wasn't

until 2005 that a new study was released. It found that even small

doses of the sweetener increased the occurrence of lymphoma and

leukemia, and occasionally caused brain tumors in rats. Although

more research is still needed, avoid it to stay on the safe side.

However, do not believe the claims that can be found all over the

Internet regarding the wide variety of illnesses caused by

aspartame; most of them have never been proven.

artificial colorings

Blue 1 & Blue 2

Blue 1 is a coloring used in candy, beverages and baked goods.

Although more research is needed, some studies have shown a small

cancer risk, so it is wise to steer clear of it.

Blue 2 can be found in pet food, candy and beverages. It hasn't been

proven without a doubt, but studies have suggested that it causes

brain tumors in mice.

Red 3

Used in fruit cocktail cherries, baked goods and candy, there is

some evidence that Red 3 causes thyroid tumors in rats. Although it

is unclear if this could also be the case in humans, it is a

possibility.

Yellow 6

Found in beverages, baked goods, sausages, candy, and gelatin,

Yellow 6 is the third most widely used of all food colorings. It has

been shown to cause adrenal gland and kidney tumors, and it contains

small amounts of many carcinogens. However, after review, the FDA

concluded that it isn't a significant cancer risk for humans, but it

may still be wise to avoid it.

eat fresh

Although most of these additives have not been proven without a

doubt to be dangerous, and there are many more that could be added

to this list, it is safer to stay away from the aforementioned

chemicals as much as possible. Read the labels; if you have a choice

between a bag of potato chips that contains BHA and BHT, and one

that doesn't, choose the latter. Or better yet, why don't you just

go for some fresh veggies and dip, and you'll avoid the processed

ingredients altogether.

Resource:

www.cspinet.org

Article Suggested By: Marwan F., Richboro, PA

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