5 Most Dangerous Food Additives.

If you see the following ingredients in your pantry or at the grocery store, throw out and avoid.

1. Artificial Sweeteners - Aspartame harms nerve cells because when broken down in the body, it turns into formic acid and formaldehyde; sucralose, saccharin, acesulfame-K, neotame, and others are no better.
   
   
2. Trans Fats - hydrogenated oils, shortening; added to baked goods and processed foods to increase shelf life; some labels say "zero trans fats" but legally may still contain 0.5 grams; creates a host of inflammatory-related diseases.
   
   
3. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) - flavor enhancer added to foods to enhance salty taste; causes neurologic, cardiac, and digestive issues; found in countless foods, including soups, ethnic foods, salad dressings, and many vegetarian items. Beware of hidden MSG under the names yeast extract, hydrolyzed vegetable protein (anything hydrolyzed), plant protein extract, sodium caseinate, calcium caseinate, textured vegetable protein, autolyzed yeast, torula yeast, malt extract; MSG also appears as natural flavorings and spices in some cases (you must trust the brand to be MSG-free).
   
   
4. Nitrates/Nitrites - chemicals added to processed meats to make salty and appear red in color; carcinogenic and allergenic.
   
   
5. Artificial Food Colors & Flavors - you may see the word F.D.&C. Yellow, red Dye 40, blue 1, etc.; linked to cancer, allergy, nausea; just one color additive can cause behavioral disorders in children; banned in Europe, but availble in foods, medications, and cosmetics in US.
   

Honorable Mention -

1. High Fructose Corn Syrup - processed sweetener that is much cheaper than sugar; indicated in obesity and diabetes; worse than any other conventional sweetener, despite what The Corn Refiners Association's PR campaign leads you to believe.
   
   
2. Acrylamide - chemical produced during high temperature cooking in foods such as french fries, cakes, and snack foods; considered "probable" in relation to several forms of estrogen-receptor positive cancers; chip companies Heinz, Frito-Lay, Lance, Proctor and Gamble, and Kettle Foods recently settled a lawsuit in California agreeing to lower levels of acrylamide in their foods; European Safety Authority has agressively reduced acrylamide levels in their food products.
   

FYI -

• Many Florida oranges are dipped in artificial orange dye to make them more visually appealing.

• There are many foods which are marketed as "healthy" or vegetarian/vegan foods that contain many of the aforementioned offending ingredients. Our Natural Foods Shopping List helps you avoid this, because we've screened the brands for you already.

• Ahi Tuna, Sashimi Tuna, and Farmed Salmon are treated with artificial dye for color.