Written by Editorial Team
Food additives are ingredients added to food to give it a better appearance, taste, and flavor. It also prevents the food from becoming stale. Salt is a natural food additive that is been used for thousands of years to preserve vegetables, fish, and meat. Modern researches in food technology has resulted in the development of artificial additives which helps in prolonged shelf life of the various food products.
The important functions of additives are:
Natural additives like salt, oils, soybeans etc. are derived from natural sources and can help maintain a food for a longer period of time, most generally harmless. Beetroot powder, for example, can even be used as a food color. The basic compound of natural and artificial food additives are closely related chemically in many cases. So a person sensitive to a particular artificial additive may show the same sensitivity to a natural additive for the same reason. That means natural additives are not always safe. The only difference between them is in the concentration of the compounds. In natural additives the chemicals will be less concentrated. As long as it is consumed moderately no issue will arise.
On the other hand, in artificial additives the compounds are highly concentrated and hence, even when consumed moderately, a large dose will get into your system causing health issues.
Kids are more affected by food additives. They usually fall for the artificial color and flavor of their favorite drink or candy. The majority of the customers of instant food and junk food are children. They can’t fight the temptation of the smell, appearance and taste (created by additives) of their favorite food items.
Additives are widely used in the food items they use daily like bread, cheese, butter, jam, juice and even yogurt.
So, the parents who are totally against junk food and feel proud that their children are always having healthy food will be shocked when they find out that at least ten to twenty artificial food additives are consumed by their children daily.
In fact, additives are necessary for the food to remain in good conditions for long periods. Or else a high level of food wastage will occur. Certain food items if not properly preserved, will cause food poisoning. Some of the additives are so important that they are used even in organic food products. It is not practical to eliminate all the additives added food from our menu. What we must do is:
Today’s fast paced life implies we all keep a stock of various processed foods in out kitchens. Over the years, safety of many food additives has come into question and many fears have been fostered. The news that some of the famous children’s food brands were banned in some country because they failed the test of food and safety department was shocking for the parents. Behavioral problems like hyperactivity, temper tantrums, poor concentration and health problems like head ache, vomiting, sudden attack of asthma while eating a particular food, rashes etc. have believed to be the result of intake of some food additives. Many researches have been conducted on the matter, and it has been concluded that many food additives can cause temper tantrums and disruptive behavior in young kids.
Some of the artificial food additives are very dangerous and should be avoided permanently because they can affect your health and your kids health directly.
Let us find out top 10 food additives that should be avoid and the reason:
Sticking on to homemade food will help you to avoid these additives from your food. You should also be careful when selecting ingredients. Avoid processed foods and if you have to consume them, make sure that you thoroughly read the contents and the ingredients. Opt for color-free yogurts, choose plain chips and noodles, and go for preservative-free breads. Now enjoy making bread, juices and wines at home and keep your children away from these dangerous additives.
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