Dangerous Chemicals in Foods

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HIDDEN INGREDIENTS

Dangerous Chemicals in Foods

 

By Sabrina Rogers

Askmen.com Nutrition Correspondent

 

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.

 

Find out about other dangerous sweeteners and artificial food colorings you

should avoid... Next at AskMen.com!