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There’s no disputing that grocery shopping is a necessity for almost everyone, but it’s a dull task: make a list, stray from that list a bit, find what’s on sale and throw it in the cart. Someone who is highly health conscious may stop to take a look at the ingredients in the food they are buying. However, most of the time these ingredients are simply overlooked. More often than not, the amount of ingredients in these products reads like a (very) short story, with some products incorporating a whopping fifty-plus components. Some of these elements are required to extend shelf life while some are just cheaper, genetically modified versions of natural ingredients used by companies to cut production costs.
Here are four of some of the worst ingredients found in processed foods that should be avoided:
Recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH)-
This genetically engineered hormone is injected into cows for the purpose of producing more milk. Products containing rBGH have been banned throughout Canada and Europe, and for good reason. The hormone has been linked to the development of several types of cancer.
High fructose corn syrup-
This sugary substitute is commonly found in products like ice cream, cookies, soda, cereal and even cough syrup. The sweetener is made from genetically modified corn syrup. Many food corporations use this in place of granulated sugar (sucrose) because it is a far cheaper alternative… but not safer. High fructose corn syrup is often associated with the surging obesity rate in the U.S. as well as heart problems and arthritis.
Artificial coloring-
There’s an old saying: “We eat with our eyes first.” Food dyes are added to products to give heightened color. In turn, the perception is that the flavor of the food is enhanced. For example, the common food dye yellow #5 is often added to citrusy or cheesy snacks to achieve a desired visual effect. Most dyes, however, are thought to be connected to tumor formation, chromosomal damage, and hyperactivity. Natural color enhancers are a smart alternative to artificial food dyes. For a list of natural ingredients used to color food, check here.
Sodium benzoate-
This preservative is used to prevent molding, particularly in acidic foods. However, when mixed with vitamin C, sodium benzoate turns into benzene, a carcinogen widely used in industrial chemicals and found in adhesives and gasoline.
-by James Baginski