10 Common Food Additives — Should You Avoid Them?

You tuck into your favorite food, confident that it will be great, as you sit down to dine. But is it actually beneficial to your body? You may be consuming chemicals that have unfavorable impacts on your health depending on the ingredients you select to include in your dinner.

Food additives are compounds created in laboratories that give packaged foods flavor, texture, and appearance. They may also lengthen the shelf life of items, enabling wider distribution. Unfortunately, they can also lead to health problems for a lot of people.

Fortunately, you can learn how to read food labels and avoid foods that are bad for your health without getting a degree in chemistry. Simply be educated when buying and familiarise yourself with the names of chemicals to stay away from. You have the option to choose to feel empowered in how you take care of your body rather than being terrified of these ingredients. You can regain control of your self-care and feel more in control of your general well-being by taking care to be healthy and make wise eating choices.

We've compiled a thorough list of ingredients to look for on food labels when shopping. Your body may or may not be negatively affected by these ingredients. It's essential to become aware of potential poisons and begin observing how they make you feel:

Since we all know we should consume less sugar, producers have developed phony sugary-tasting "sugar-free" ingredients to give meals a sweet flavor without raising the actual sugar intake. Artificial sweeteners including saccharin, aspartame, and sucralose are frequently used in these.

Despite the FDA's and many experts' assurances that these sweeteners are safe, many users report a variety of side effects. These include headaches, digestive issues, lightheadedness, and more.

Aspartame and other artificial sweeteners, according to some researchers and consumer advocacy organizations, may cause cancer and other extremely significant health issues.

High Sugar Corn Syrup

A sweetener that can be found in processed foods such as cereals, yogurt, candies, bread, candy, and salad dressings. When consumed in excess, this processed form of fructose induces insulin resistance, a risk factor for diabetes and heart disease, and is toxic to the liver.

Sodium Benzoate

It serves as a preservative in carbonated beverages and foods that are sour and preserved, such as pickles and salad dressings. It has been demonstrated that sodium benzoate may act as a trigger for both childhood hyperactivity and adult ADHD. 

The chemical changes into benzene, which is more likely to cause cancer, when combined with vitamin C or artificial sweeteners. In general, you should completely avoid this food ingredient.

Trans Fat

Trans fat is one of the most harmful compounds you may ingest and is used to improve and lengthen the shelf life of food goods. Trans fat has been linked to an increased risk of heart attacks, heart disease, and strokes, as well as increased inflammation, diabetes, and other health issues, according to a number of studies. 

Sulfites

A preservative used in the production of wine and other processed foods is sodium sulfite. The FDA estimates that one in 100 people have a sensitivity to sulfites in food. Since asthma affects the majority of these people, sulfites and asthma may be related. Sulfite sensitivity can cause rashes, headaches, and breathing issues in some people. In extreme circumstances, sulfites can potentially result in cardiac arrest, which completely closes off the airway and results in death.

Artificial Colors

Artificial colors contain artificial FD&C colors that are related to children's hyperactivity and concentration problems. Caramel colors III and IV are found to be a major cancer concern. Both are used in many items to improve aesthetics and the look of the food.

Diacetyl

Chemical used to flavor dairy products, microwave popcorn, and "brown flavorings" like butterscotch and maple. It can also be used to flavor "fruit flavorings" like strawberry and raspberry. Diacetyl is known to cause respiratory conditions, particularly among industry workers. Some extreme cases also result in lung cancer.

BHA and BHT 

These are preservatives that can be found in lard, shortening, confectionery, cereal, frozen sausages, potato chips, gum, and Jell-O. These are made from petroleum, and according to the National Institutes of Health, BHA is probably a human carcinogen based on studies on animals, whereas BHT has a weaker association with cancer.

Potassium Bromate

a substance used to bulk up flour and is present in bread and rolls, bagel chips, wraps, and bread crumbs. It is an oxidising chemical that is used to thicken dough and speed up baking, but it could harm the kidneys, and the neurological system, or induce gastrointestinal distress.

Sodium Nitrate

Processed meats all contain sodium nitrate as a preservative. Although this substance appears safe, once it reaches the human digestive system, it becomes highly carcinogenic. There, it creates a number of nitrosamine chemicals that enter the bloodstream and cause damage to several internal organs, particularly the liver and pancreas. 

How to avoid these chemicals?

The majority of additives that are frequently present in products at the shop can be avoided by avoiding packaged foods, eating nutrient-dense foods, and attempting to obtain your food as naturally as possible.

You may be sure that you are doing good for your community and for your body when you support local farmers and farmer's markets. These foods are often cultivated in mineral-rich soil, without the use of pesticides or insecticides, and are harvested at the peak of ripeness, ensuring that they are as nutrient-dense as possible.

The fact that Laumière's gourmet food baskets are prepared from hand-selected, all-natural ingredients and are mixed to provide delectable and nutritious snacks makes them a suitable substitute for anyone trying to eat healthily. No artificial sweeteners or added sugar are used in any of our gourmet treats. They are completely devoid of any preservatives or additives, and each collection is filled with a unique flavor.

Therefore, choose a basket for yourself or a special someone to have a unique eating experience.