Enough is Enough!
The debate over the food additives and dangerous chemicals we encounter throughout our daily lives continues to rage on. What is the purpose of these substances, why are they being added, what effects could they be having on our health, and more importantly, on the health of our children? HL considers a few of these substances, their purposes and the possible side effects.
How safe is the food we eat and the environment in which we live? How can we be sure that the foods we feed our families are nutritionally valuable and not doing them long-term harm? And with our growing obsession with cleanliness, how safe are the cleaning products we use?
The evidence emerging from food agencies and industry watchdogs gives rise to these questions and many more. As consumers, we used to think that our food and consumer goods chain was well legislated, that manufacturers and suppliers were there to provide us with the best products possible. Now we’re not so sure.
The need to read and understand labels before we buy products is becoming ever more important. Some substances that are being added to certain foods and cleaning products are not only unnecessary, but potentially downright dangerous. The side effects of some of these substances range from hyperactivity in children to increased cancer risks throughout the population. Let’s consider a few.
Aspartame: the bitter-sweet debate
Take aspartame, for example, which has been hitting the headlines in recent years. It’s widely used as a sweetener replacement for sugar in so-called ‘light’, ‘sugar-free’ and ‘reduced sugar’ products such as soft drinks, desserts and chewing gum. It might be intended as a replacement for sugar, but many experts now question whether it might prove to be far more dangerous than sugar itself.
According to the Natural Health Information Centre, aspartame contains, among other elements, methanol or wood alcohol, as well as aspartic acid and phenylalanine. When methanol is broken down on consumption of aspartame, it releases formaldeyde. Of course, we are told methanol is present in aspartame only in miniscule amounts, but nutritious? We don’t think so. The possible side effects of aspartame range from headaches and dizziness to depression and even cancer.
MSG: who needs it?
Then there’s monosodium glutamate, commonly referred to as MSG. For decades, it has been used as a flavour enhancer for various foods, and right up until the ‘70s and early ‘80s, many recipes even listed it in their ingredients. Take a look through an old cookbook and chances are you’ll find plenty of recipes calling for MSG. Today we know better.
These days, in fact, many restaurants and food suppliers go out of their way to let consumers know that they do not use MSG. There’s a good reason for that: people sensitive to MSG can suffer from headaches, a tightness in the chest, and even an unpleasant burning feeling on their arms and neck.
Nitrite and nitrate: the meaty argument
Nitrite and nitrate are two more highly questionable substances. On its own, nitrate is safe, but can be easily converted to nitrite. Commonly used to preserve meat and prolong its’ supermarket shelf life, on heating to high temperatures – i.e. cooking and especially frying – these substances can undergo a powerful reaction and develop into strong cancer-causing chemicals. In fact, nitrite has long been associated with stomach cancer. The message is clear: avoid processed meats, and if you do buy them, opt for the nitrite-free variety.
Sulfites: how refreshing?
Not very. Sulfites are those chemicals which in the past were widely used to keep fruits and vegetables looking fresher for longer. They are said to prevent discoloration in foods and fermentation in wine. These days they tend not to be used on fresh fruits and vegetables, but are still used on dried fruits and wine. Once considered safe, it is now believed sulfites can trigger severe allergic reactions, especially among asthmatics.
Artificial colourings: time to get real
Have you ever looked at some soft drinks and confectionery products and wondered at their iridescent, almost psychedelic colours? They don’t look natural, do they? That’s because they’re not. Many are chock full of additives and food colorings. Essentially, these are synthetic dyes, many of which are now suspected of toxicity and some of which have even been banned. With real food looking so colorful anyway, who would want to eat synthetics? Some might say it’s bad enough wearing them!
Nature knows best
The message is a simple one. Wherever and whenever possible, buy natural fresh foods and avoid the processed variety. And if you do choose processed occasionally, be sure to read the labels carefully. Find out what’s in the food you choose before you buy it. Our advice: if in doubt, leave it out!
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