5 Food Additives You Must Avoid

How often do you read food labels? Have you ever wondered how your favorite foods stay fresh so long? Additives and preservatives keep food fresh and make it more appealing. However, these substances may not be good for your health. Some can actually increase your risk of cancer, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. Most foods are packed with artificial flavors, dyes, and hard-to-pronounce additives that have raised red flags within the scientific community.

If you care about your health, avoid these five food additives:

High Fructose Corn Syru

Also known as corn sugar, high fructose corn syrup is one of the most dangerous food additives available today. This highly processed artificial sweetener raises cholesterol levels and packs on pounds faster than any other food. It can be found in sweets, junk food, flavored yogurts, bread, salad dressings, breakfast cereals, soft drinks, and pastries. High fructose corn syrup and sugar are equally harmful.

 Acesulfame Potassium and Aspartame

Acesulfame-potassium and aspartame are commonly used in energy drinks, gelatin desserts, chewing gum, cereals, sugar free gum, diet sodas, and baked goods. These artificial sweeteners increase your risk of developing cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, fibromyalgia, insulin resistance, diabetes, and chronic fatigue syndrome. When consumed regularly, it triggers sugar cravings and leads to weight gain. Formaldehyde, one of the main ingredients in aspartame, is a known human carcinogen.

Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils

Partially hydrogenated vegetable oils are processed fats that improve the texture of processed foods and make them last longer. Packed with trans fats and chemicals, these oils increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Most processed foods are made with partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, including deep-fried foods, potato chips, margarine, dips and sauces, pizza, and baked goods. Those who consume these foods regularly are more likely to develop arteriosclerosis, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, stroke, and cancer.

Monosodium Glutamate

Monosodium glutamate is the most widely used flavor enhancer. It is often referred to as an excitotoxin because of its ability to over-stimulate brain cells to death. This dangerous substance may trigger heart arrhythmia, migraines, seizures, depression, mood swings, asthma attacks, skin rashes, fibromyalgia, and obesity. According to health experts, monosodium glutamate is the silent killer lurking in your kitchen. This ingredient comes in pre-packed meals, potato chips, pizza, pastries, deli meat, sweets, chocolate and other processed foods. Its role is to make food taste fresher and smell better. When consumed regularly, it may cause addiction.

BHA and BHT

Butylated Hydroxyanisole and Butylated Hydroxytoulene are two of the mist popular food preservatives. These substances have been banned in Japan and most European countries. They cam be found in cereals, beer, processed meat, chewing gum, pies, snack foods, and cakes. BHA and BHT are made from coal tar or petroleum and may alter brain chemistry. The World Health Organization has listed BHA as a carcinogen. These toxic preservatives could produce hyperactivity in children and increase the risk of cancer, birth defects, infertility, kidney damage, and tumor growth. Despite their dangerous side effects, BHA and BHT are still used by the major cereal brands in America.