Stop! 8 Dangerous Food Additives

2023 Author: Jessica James | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 04:20

Kirill Masliev, Ph. D., told BeautyHack how food additives affect the body and which of them should be avoided in the composition of products.

Food

The shorter the shelf life of a product, the more likely it is to contain a minimum of preservatives and a maximum of natural ingredients. What is the likelihood that 100% fruit puree can survive without a refrigerator for several weeks? None - fruit acids will begin to ferment in a day. It's another matter if the manufacturer added a preservative to it, or made it from artificial ingredients, which is also possible (do they still understand the difference between "Yuppie" and "fresh"?). By the way, about juices. You can get vitamins only from freshly squeezed ones - for example, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) begins to break down instantly upon contact with oxygen and sunlight.

Food additives are used to add flavor, color, and preservation. The E index was introduced for marking back in 1953. The numbers after it indicate the type of additive: from 100 to 199 are dyes, from 200 to 299 are preservatives, 300–399 are substances that slow down oxidation, 500–599 are leavening agents, 600–699 are flavors and flavor enhancers, 900–999 are anti-foaming agents, 1000–1105 - enzymes and biological catalysts.

How do supplements affect the body?

There is no consensus among experts from different countries which supplements are safe. For more than 40 years, the dye E128, which gives a pink color to meat products, has been allowed in Europe. Recently, studies have been conducted to prove that this supplement is carcinogenic. After that, the E128 dye was banned everywhere.

With the regular use of products with artificial food additives, internal systems and organs can malfunction - they tend to accumulate.

The most common reaction is allergies. Food additives can cause exacerbation of dermatological diseases (psoriasis), gastrointestinal disorders, intoxication, manifested in the form of headaches, fatigue, and drowsiness.

It is possible to understand which product, as well as the food additive used in it, provoked the problem only by the method of elimination. I would like to draw your attention: allergies are not only a skin reaction in the form of a rash! It can manifest itself in the form of the inability to assimilate any substance (hypolactosia, celiac disease) and in the form of a reaction from the gastrointestinal tract - for example, inflammation of the intestinal villous apparatus. Outwardly, this may not appear in any way for a long time. But the body will receive less nutrients and over time this can lead to an exacerbation of chronic diseases and the development of new ones.

Execute, no mercy

The list of harmful, but at the same time allowed additives is large: E102, E122, E129, E104, E621, E951, E211, E151, E133, E213, E124, E110, E221, E320, E220 - this is only a small part.

I'll tell you about some in more detail.

Aspartame E951. The second most popular sweetener. It is used in the production of chocolate, chewing gum, candies and dragees, and is also produced as a standalone product. But this is a fairly strong allergen that can cause insomnia and the development of depressive conditions.

Acidity regulator E338. A harmful food additive used in the production of cheeses and meat products displaces calcium from teeth and bones, which leads to tooth decay and osteoporosis.

E220 preservative (sulfur dioxide). In our country, it is most often used in the production of dried, canned and frozen vegetables, jams, marmalades, marmalades, dried and salted fish, sausages. The preservative prevents enzymatic fermentation in wines - it is also added there. Sulfur dioxide is toxic to the body - it causes allergic reactions (especially in those who suffer from asthma), it destroys thiamine - vitamin B1.

E104 food coloring (quinyl yellow). In the food industry, the dye is used in the production of smoked fish, candy, and chewing gum. In September 2009, the European Food Standards Agency (EFSA) lowered its allowable daily allowance from 10 mg / kg to 0.5 mg / kg. E104 can cause skin reactions (urticaria), asthma attacks and hyperactivity in children.

E320 preservative (butylhydroxyanisole). This preservative is used in the production of fat-containing foods to prevent oxidation and unpleasant odors. Many experts consider it carcinogenic and toxic, despite the absence of an official ban on its use.

Dye E124 (ponceau 4 R). The dye is popular with manufacturers of confectionery, ice cream, canned meat and fish. In our country, its research continues to this day, despite the official ban on its use in the USA, Finland and Norway.

E124 is a strong allergen, and even an acceptable safe daily dose can cause an unwanted reaction in the body (especially in children).

Baking powder E340. It is used in the manufacture of processed cheeses and bakery products. E340 is found in condensed milk, fruit ice and fermented milk products. The supplement increases blood cholesterol and causes gastrointestinal disturbances.

Flavor enhancer E621 (monosodium glutamate). This "comrade" needs no introduction. The additive has an exciting effect on brain cells, can cause food addiction, can cause allergic reactions, digestive problems, and exacerbation of gastritis.