These ingredients have been linked to some cancers and other harmful diseases. They are found in many of the foods we purchase everyday. I know, scary right?
I have been doing a lot of research on ways to eat clean and shopping in the healthy organic isles of the market or at Trader Joes. Lately, I started to read the back of the ingredient labels on the foods that I put in my cart. To my surprise, I noticed even on some of my healthy choices there were ingredients I have never heard before that sounded like chemicals. I started to look up those ingredients and was horrified to find what I was eating and the damage that it may cause.
Sodium nitrate – added to processed meats, such as bacon to stop bacterial growth. They maintain the pinkish meat color and without this the meat could appear grey. When cooked or broken down in the stomach, nitrites form nitrosamines which can cause cancer. Luckily, you can now find nitrate free bacon and other meats.
Potassium bromate – added to many packaged breads. Bromate has been banned worldwide except in Japan and the United States.
In California they require a cancer warning on the label.
Propyl gallat – found in meats, popcorn, soup, frozen dinners shown to cause cancer in rats. Some side effects are said to be stomach and skin irritability, as well as allergic reactions that impact breathing. It may also cause kidney and liver problems.
BHA/BHT – A fat preservative used in foods to extend shelf life. Long-term exposure to high doses in mice, causing liver, thyroid and kidney problems and affecting lung function and blood coagulation. Also banned in many countries such as Japan and Canada.
Enriched flour – used in many and breads, pizzas, donuts and other snack foods. It raises raises blood sugar that has to be metabolized by the liver, and if there’s an excess of sugar, that typically gets stored in the body as fat. Purchasing whole wheat flour or whole grain flour is the healthier way to go. Those contain the nutrients and vitamins that your body likes.
Polysorbate 60 – a thickening agent that is used in baked goods which have shown in some cases to hinder fertility.
Paraben – used to stop mold and yeast forming in foods, such as jelly, beers, and syrup. In 2004, researchers found parabens in breast cancer tumours. Although there isn’t a proven link between parabens and breast cancer, the research certainly made it seem that way. Parabens are also commonly found in sunscreens along with other skincare items so make sure you read those labels!
Read more: http://www.herbhedgerow.co.uk/are-you-eating-parabens/#ixzz6D8WNyDkl
High Fructose Corn Syrup – Basically a toxic sugar that we put into our bodies. Research as shown it causes diabetes, cancers and digestive issues. It is in pretty much every sugary snack food and drink that I have come across.
Next time you go shopping remember to read the back of the food labels because you never know what you’ll find in your everyday items.
