Although there are many ingredients that we should be avoiding in food (and beverages), here is a list of 10 commonly found on ingredient labels:
Food Colorings
Studies show that these dyes can cause hyperactivity in children. Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 are contaminated with cancer-causing substances, and Red 40 has been shown by the FDA to be a known carcinogen (a substance that causes cancer), but is still in use in products such as toothpaste, soda, pop-tarts, candy, and even cough syrups and other medicines (Also see Coal Tar Colors (FD&C, D&C, in the first section).
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
MSG is an excitotoxin that over-excites nerve cells to the point of cell damage, or even cell death. Used as a flavor enhancer, MSG plays a major role in obesity; researchers have known that an injury to specific parts of the hypothalamus in the brain can cause an animal to become grossly obese. MSG has been discovered to cause lesions in these same parts of the hypothalamus.
MSG also shuts off the hormone Leptin, which is responsible for telling us that we are full. Leptin enters the brain and acts with neurons in the hypothalamus to suppress appetite. In animal experiments, MSG suppressed the leptin, rendering it useless in this area of the brain, causing the animal to overeat and become grossly obese. Have you ever eaten a bag of chips in one sitting and wonder, how did that happen? It happened because the MSG turned off the leptin, so you didn’t get the signal that you were full. MSG and other excitotoxins, such as aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal), cause more glucose to enter fat cells, resulting in more fat being stored, especially around vital organs in the midsection. MSG also is not required to be listed on an ingredient label, and many ingredients are known to contain MSG. Click here for a link to those ingredient names.
Aspartame
This substance was once listed on the Pentagon’s list as a prospective biochemical warfare weapon. Brand names Nutrasweet and Equal, aspartame is linked to birth defects, depression, mental retardation, epilepsy, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and many neurological symptoms, it is found in
everything from soft drinks, multivitamins, prescription medications, cereals, and many other sugar-free items. One of the components of Aspartame, methanol, releases formaldehyde into the body as a result of aspartame digestion. It has recently been re-branded as AminoSweet.
Genetically Modified Foods
GM foods are genetically modified organisms in which genes are taken from one species, such as bacteria and viruses, and forcing them into the DNA of another species, such as soybeans or corn plants. There have not been many human studies regarding GM foods, but animal studies have shown that GM foods are linked to infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, organ damage, and GI problems. The American Academy of Environmental Medicine urges all doctors to prescribe non-GMO diets to all of their patients. The only human feeding study demonstrates that GM genes can remain inside us, in our intestinal bacteria, and can continue to function long after we stop eating GMOs; this could even be life-long. The FDA does not officially approve GMOs; there is only a voluntary consultation process, and the bioengineering company can present whatever information they choose; no safety testing is necessary. Other ingredients to look out for include rBGH and aspartame, both of which also have genetic components. GM foods have already been banned in Europe, so if we buy organic as much as possible and buy non-GMO foods when we can’t, we can create a “tipping point” much like Europe’s, and get the GM ingredients out of our food supply. Another way to avoid GM foods is to use the Non-GMO Shopping Guide.
High Fructose Corn Syrup (soon to be known as “corn sugar”)
Found in most processed foods – cookies, crackers, chips, salad dressings; even fruit juices and soda. In fact, because it is a cheaper alternative to sugar, it is hard to find processed foods that do not contain high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that the body rapidly converts fructose into fat. The liver decides how the body will use dietary sugars; however, fructose does not need the liver to metabolize it, so it floods the bloodstream, quickly converting into fat. HFCS accounts for the largest amount of calories in the American diet, and Americans consume about 12 teaspoonfuls of it per day.
Besides rapidly turning to fat, high fructose corn syrup is also linked to diabetes, wrinkling of the skin, collagen damage, metabolic syndrome, increased cellulite, hypertension, increased cancer risk, and accelerating the aging process. In a study, almost half of tested samples of commercial high-fructose corn syrup contain the neurotoxin mercury, which is a result of the production process.
How to Avoid These (and Other) Chemicals:
These are just 10 food ingredients to avoid, although there are many more! A great way to avoid these undesirable ingredients is to eat fresh, organic, whole foods (fruits, vegetables, grains, lean meats) as a majority of your diet. According to the Environmental Working Group, the following foods are the “Dirty Dozen” fruits and vegetables that are commonly exposed to pesticides and/or wax. Buy these organic, whenever possible:
- Peaches
- Sweet Bell Peppers
- Celery
- Nectarines
- Strawberries
- Cherries
- Pears
- Grapes
- Spinach
- Lettuce
- Potatoes
- Apples
Not sure if it is organic or not? Check the label; labels on organic produce will begin with a 9, and produce that is conventionally grown will start with a number 4. If you are buying processed foods, be sure to check the labels carefully. Avoid the ingredients previously listed, and another great way to avoid potentially harmful food chemicals is if you cannot pronounce the ingredient names, it is best to avoid the product.
Excerpt from Naturally’s 10 Ingredients to Avoid in Personal Care Products, Sunscreen, and Food. Click the link to get the full eBook, as well as a printable shopping list to check ingredient labels on-the-go.