QandAs: Food

What are some Food Ingredients that are considered unsafe?

Answer:
A number of ingredients in widespread use

in modern food production and processing are under ongoing scrutiny and criticism for being toxic or otherwise dangerously foreign to the body's systems for metabolizing and assimilating intake; and some can lead to diseases and ailments and even untimely deaths.

This article discusses several food ingredients and additives which have been investigated and studied, and the information is taken from reliable online sources. However, some conflicting research and disagreement between sometimes opposing factions might exist.

Individuals wishing to learn more about specific food ingredients or processes are encouraged to perform their own in-depth research, to ensure a broader view and for cross-reference authentication.

Please note also that these listed ingredients might not be the most toxic food ingredients; rather, these are the ones getting significant attention by those involved in studying and reporting such things.

Hydrogenated (or partially hydrogenated) vegetable oils:
Vegetable oils that have been pumped full of hydrogen (thus, "hydrogenated") are thought to contribute to heart disease and nutritional disruptions and deficiencies. Hydrogenated oils resemble fats, but are different than natural oils and fats at the molecular level; and the body has difficulty dealing with them. They are thought to clog up the circulatory system, leading to high blood pressure, strokes, heart attacks, and more.

Trans-fats:
Trans-fats, or UNsaturated fats, are fats and oils which have been linked with heart and circulatory diseases. Trans-fats consist of fat molecules with less hydrogen than the safer saturated fats, making it difficult for the body to assimilate it and use it in the ways it would use healthier, saturated fats.

BHA, BHT:
Butylated HydroxyAnisole (BHA) is a chemical additive used to prevent fats from going rancid in foods. BHA is often used with Butylated HydroxyToluene (or BHT), which has similar fat-preserving properties. These substances are often used in packaging materials, as well as directly in some foods. Some sources indicate that BHA has been linked with causing, promoting and/or contributing to certain cancers.

High fructose corn syrup:
HFCS is an artificial sweetener that went into widespread use in many food and drink products during the 1980's, in the United States. It is much less expensive than natural sugar, since "a little goes a long ways". HFCS is currently being singled out as a significant contributing factor in a number of health issues, including obesity, diabetes, and more.

Sodium Nitrite:
Sodium Nitrite is a chemical used in some meat and fish products, as a preservative and color stabilizer. NaNO2 (its chemical formula) is water soluble, and hygroscopic (it attracts water molecules). Sodium Nitrite has been linked to a number of health issues, including some cancers, migraines, COPD lung diseases, and more.

Excitotoxins:
Excitotoxins is more of a "catgegory of ingredients". This category includes a number of additives used in many food, drink, snack, gum, candy and other products. The Excitotoxins group includes ingredients like MonoSodium Glutamate (MSG) and Aspartame (artificial sweetener).

Excitotoxins have been linked with certain nervous system disorders and other ailments. Some research has linked certain excitotoxins to such diseases as ADD, ADHD, Parkinson's disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Alzhiemer's disease, alcoholism, and more.

For more food and household product ingredient information, visit these resources:

Human Toxome Project - Mapping the pollution in people.
Quing-It - Product Ingredient Information.