The Smoothie Secret

10 Shocking Ingredients In Your Food: What You NEED To Know Before Your Next Trip To The Grocery Store

Here are 10 dangerous ingredients to look out for:

1. Sodium Nitrate: Sodium Nitrate, commonly found in deli meats, hot dogs, and processed meats, serves as a preservative. However, its consumption has been associated with health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, neurological problems, and gastrointestinal complications. Opt for lean, fresh meats and avoid or limit intake of meats containing sodium nitrate.
2. High fructose corn syrup: Contrary to industry claims, high fructose corn syrup isn’t a natural food; it’s highly processed and metabolized differently from natural sugars. Its widespread presence in food poses various health risks, including obesity, type II diabetes, high blood pressure, liver disease, and heart disease. Manufacturers often list it under deceptive names like fructose or fructose syrup to evade detection by consumers.
3. BHT (butyl hydroxytoluene): BHT, a synthetic preservative in foods and cosmetics, prevents natural oxidation to prolong shelf life. Despite being labeled toxic in Material Safety Data Sheets, it’s widely used in foods. Studies in animals link BHT to cancer. Questions arise about safe dosage levels due to its prevalence in numerous food products.
4. Azodicarbonamide: This industrial chemical used in rubber and synthetic leather production is utilized to create a foamy texture. Despite its incorporation into bread and cereal flour for sponginess and whitening, it’s been banned in Europe and Australia due to health concerns. While the FDA lacks sufficient research to confirm its harm in food, the World Health Organization and CDC warn against ingestion, citing respiratory issues, skin and eye irritation, and potential harm to hormone and immune function.
5. Enriched flour: Enriched flour undergoes extensive processing that strips away fiber and nutrients, leaving a nutritionally devoid product. Consumption leads to rapid sugar conversion, causing blood sugar spikes and associated health risks like type 2 diabetes, blood vessel damage, high blood pressure, and increased cancer risk. Opt for true whole grains for better health outcomes.
6. Soybean oil: While perceived as a healthy food, mass-produced soybeans and soybean oil contain carcinogenic pesticides and are often genetically modified. Consumption links to inflammation, allergies, nutrient malabsorption, and trans-fat content due to partial hydrogenation. Choose non-GMO, organic soy options to mitigate potential health risks.
7. MSG: A commonly used flavor enhancer in the US, MSG is linked to health issues like obesity, headaches, eye damage, and nausea, with widespread sensitivities. Despite conflicting research on its long-term effects, considering the evidence pointing to health risks, avoiding MSG in your diet is advisable.
8. Yellow #5 (tartrazine): Used as a food coloring, Yellow #5 is associated with allergic reactions, hyperactivity, reduced sperm count, and potential cancer risks. Pay attention to various food coloring additives, as many of them pose health concerns.
9. Propylene glycol alginate: This food additive, akin to antifreeze’s primary ingredient, has inconsistent research findings regarding health risks. Some studies indicate potential associations with neurological issues, kidney and liver disease, as well as respiratory and cardiovascular problems. Given the uncertainty, exercising caution in consumption seems prudent until conclusive evidence is established.
10. Polysorbate 60: Commonly employed as a thickening agent in foods and cosmetics, Polysorbate 60 lacks extensive information, but its constituents are linked to carcinogens and fertility issues, raising potential health concerns.