Page 9 - Healthy Living

10. Potassium Bromate. Potassium bromate is a common food additive that is used to strengthen bread and cracker dough,
helping it rise during baking; however, California and and the international cancer agency lists it as a carcinogen. Potassium bro-
mate has been labeled as causing tumors, toxic to the kidneys and may even cause DNA damage. Though once baked, it con-
verts to potassium bromide which has been deemed as non-carcinogenic, some residues exist. It has been banned in the United
Kingdom, European Union and Canada in food, but the United States still allows it to be added to flour.Labels typically refer-
ence it as potassium bromate. Alternatives: bromates, calcium bromate, potassium bromate, sodium bromate, bromated flour.

11. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG). It is no surprise that MSG is on the list. MSG is created by a naturally occurring chemical
called glutamate and looks similar to salt or sugar crystals. While glutamate is tasteless, it has the ability to enhance flavors. It is
typically found in Chinese food, canned foods, and processed meats. MSG has the GRAS Classification by the Food & Drug Ad-
ministration which means it is “generally recognized as safe.” But due to the controversy surrounding MSG, the FDA requires
that it be listed on the label. However, some foods such as tomatoes, soybeans, and seaweed naturally contain glutamate, and
some researchers suggests that glutamate, also known as umami, is the another essential flavor that our taste buds can detect,
in addition to sweet, salty, bitter, and sour.
MSG has gotten a bad rap for years, with numerous claims in late 1960s alleging that food prepared with MSG at Chinese res-
taurants made people sick; however, many studies report difficulty in finding concrete evidence that there is a problem with
MSG. At the same time, some reports have indicated numerous reactions such as headaches, flushing, sweating, facial pressure
or tightness, numbness, tingling or burning in the face, neck and other areas, rapid, heart palpitations, chest pain, nausea, and
weakness. Labels typically note it as monosodium glutamate or MSG, but it may be disguised by other ingredients that contain
MSG such as hydrolyzed soy protein and autolyzed yeast. Alternative names: sodium glutamate, MSG, Accent, Zest, Ajinomoto,
Vetsin.

Preservatives

12. Sodium Benzoate. Sodium benzoate is a common food preservative used in many processed food products and drinks to
prevent spoilage. Sodium benzoate is the sodium salt of benzoic acid. It is used as an antifungal preservative in pharmaceutical
preparations and foods. Sodium benzoate is often added to acidic food products such as sauerkraut, jellies and jams, and hot
sauces; however some foods, like cranberries, cinnamon, prunes and apples, naturally contain it. It has been suggested that it
may help treat hyperammonemia in terms of medication. Concerns have been raised regarding it as a possible cause of hyper-
activity in some children, though more studies are needed according to The European Food Safety Authority. Food labels typi-
cally reference it as sodium benzoate. Alternative names: benzoic acid, potassium benzoate.

13. Sodium Nitrite
Sodium nitrite is usually found in preserved meat products like sausages, cured meats and canned meats. Concerns of this pre-
servative are that too much may cause pancreatic cancer and other health problems. A study reports that methemoglobinemia,
a blood disorder in which an abnormal amount of methemoglobin is produced, was found in in an adolescent girl and her fa-
ther after ingesting homemade beef jerky that contained sodium nitrate. Both experienced palpitations, dyspnea, and visible
mucosal cyanosis. Look for sodium nitrate on the food labels. Alternative names: sodium nitrite, nitrate, nitrite.

14. Sodium Sulfite (E221)

Preservative used in wine-making and other processed foods. According to the FDA, approximately one in 100 people is sensi-
tive to sulfites in food. The majority of these individuals are asthmatic, suggesting a link between asthma and sulfites. Individu-
als who are sulfite sensitive may experience headaches, breathing problems, and rashes. In severe cases, sulfites can actually
cause death by closing down the airway altogether, leading to cardiac arrest. Found in wine and dried fruit.

15. Sulfur Dioxide (E220)
Sulfur additives are toxic and in the United States of America, the Food and Drug Administration have prohibited their use on
raw fruit and vegetables. Adverse reactions include bronchial problems, particularly in those prone to asthma, hypotension
(low blood pressure), flushing, tingling sensations or anaphylactic shock. It also destroys vitamins B1 and E. Not recommended