Food With Preservatives To Avoid

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Fresh, home-made meals are a thing of the past. Nobody has the time or the patience to question what is in the food we consume daily. We have become increasingly dependent on packaged and processed food, unaware that our health might be in jeopardy. The food manufacturing industry use preservatives to prevent food from going bad through oxidation and prolong its shelf-life.

Preservatives are also used to maintain the flavour and colour of the food. Some of the most common preservatives include BHA, BHT, calcuim propionate, benzene, sodium nitrate and potassium sorbate. The effects of consuming such synthetic preservatives regularly include gastric irritation, heart damage, hormonal imbalance, behavioural changes and cancer. Some food items with preservatives to avoid are listed below.

Soft Drinks

Soft drinks contains a carcinogen, or cancer causing agent, called benzene. The amount of benzene produced by soft drinks is increased with exposure to heat or light during transportation or storage. The largest quantity of soft drinks are consumed by children and teenagers. Hence, it becomes imperative to avoid food items with such harmful preservatives.

Fried Food

Processed and packaged fried food contain large amounts of saturated and trans fat. When high amounts of saturated fatty acids are present in our diet, the production of acetate fragments increase in our body. This results in an increase in the production of cholesterol. They can also cause heart attacks and obesity.

Diet food

When the sugar or fat content of a high calorie food is reduced, it becomes low calorie or diet food. Contrary to popular belief, this is not the healthier alternative. Such food items are packed with highly processed, chemically manufactured sugar substitutes. Such food with preservatives should be avoided, as they are in no way healthier.

Processed Meats

Preservatives such as sodium nitrate are used to make processed meats such as ham, bacon and sausage look fresh. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, nitrates are carcinogens and increase the risk of cancer.

Dairy Products

To prevent mold growth on cheese and tartaric acid, preservatives such as potassium sorbate and natamycin are added to dairy products such as milk, ice cream, yogurt and cheese.

Foods that spoil quickly or that are minimally packaged are unlikely to contain preservatives. One of the best ways to avoid food with preservatives is to buy fresh produce. Checking the ingredient list of packaged items will ensure that food items with harmful preservatives are avoided.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.