Food Additives to Avoid

Healthy life

Additives are often found in various types of processed foods. There are various additives with different functions. You are advised to limit or avoid the consumption of foods that contain additives for the sake of health.

Some foods are intentionally added with additives or additives, in order to preserve, add taste, improve texture or beautify the appearance of food. Some people even deliberately add this ingredient with the reason and hope to increase or maintain the nutritional value of the food.

Types of Additives

Since ancient times, additives have been used in various types of food. For example, salt to preserve meat and fish, herbs and spices to enhance the taste of food, sugar to preserve fruit, and vinegar to pickle cucumbers.

Advances in existing technology make the diversity of additives growing. The types of additives that are often added to food are increasingly diverse, such as:

  • Bulking agent, increase the volume of food without changing the number of calories present.
  • Raising agent or a developer, increasing the volume of the food by gas formation from the material.
  • Propellants, materials that make it easier for food to be removed from its packaging.
  • Gel forming, changing the texture of food into a gel.
  • Glazing agent, improve appearance and protect food.
  • Flour treatment, improve the quality of baked goods.
  • Stabilizer and hardener.
  • Thickener, improves texture and consistency.
  • Preservative, preserve and make microbes can not multiply.
  • Mineral salt, improves texture and taste.
  • Foaming agent, maintain the uniformity of gas aeration levels in the food.
  • Flavor enhancer, increase flavor strength.
  • Flavors, add flavor to food.
  • Humectants, keep moisture
  • Coloring, adding or highlighting
  • Acidifier, maintains the acidity of food appropriately.
  • Emulsifier, make the fat does not freeze.
  • Artificial sweetener, enhance sweetness.
  • Antioxidant, prevents food from oxidizing and smelling rancid.
  • Anti-caking agent, makes the food does not thicken.

Recognizing Dangerous Additives

Some additives are considered dangerous if consumed continuously or excessively. The following are some additives that are often used in the manufacture of food, along with their dangers:

  • Preservative

    Based on research, additives or chemicals added to make food last longer (eg benzoates, monoglycerides, diglycerides, nitrates, nitrites, and sulfites) are suspected to cause health problems.

  • MSG (monosodium

    Although it still needs further research, according to a nutrition consultant, MSG can damage nerve endings if consumed in excess, thereby increasing the sensation of pain. Additives that make food taste delicious can also increase the risk of weight gain and metabolic syndrome. Some people who are sensitive to MSG content can experience headaches after eating foods that contain lots of MSG.

  • High fructose corn syrup

    High-fructose corn syrup is a sweetener that is often used in packaged food and beverage products, such as sparkling water, cakes and candies. Several studies have shown that this additive can cause chronic stomach pain and other digestive disorders in people who have an intolerance to high-fructose corn syrup.

  • Artificial sweeteners

    Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame are associated with various chronic diseases, including fibromyalgia, migraines, brain tumors, neurological disorders, cancer, and premature birth.

  • Potassium bromate or potassium bromate

    The use of these additives has actually been banned since 1993 potassium bromate in food is prohibited because it can cause cancer. This additive is a carcinogenic substance.

  • Sodium Nirite or sodium nitrite

    These additives are often used as preservatives hot dog and bacon. Foods containing sodium nitrite tend to be high in sodium and fat, so it is advisable to limit them. Processed meat, which contains nitrite and other additives, is also thought to increase the risk of heart and blood vessel disease. Research even shows that sodium nitrite can cause cell damage that can lead to cancer.

  • Sugar

    Although natural, sugar is also not good for health if consumed in excess. According to a doctor, sugar can trigger changes in the body that make muscles spasm. In addition, excess sugar can also trigger obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

  • Salt

    Consuming a lot of salt can cause high blood pressure, kidney problems, and heart and blood vessel disease.

What also needs to be watched out for, a study shows that preservatives, artificial food coloring, and other additives are thought to play a role in increasing hyperactive behavior in children.

Before you buy food, it is highly recommended to read the composition of the ingredients, including the additives used. You should limit the consumption of processed foods that contain lots of additives, and choose natural foods for daily servings.