The food additives and preservatives that are supposed to make our lives easier could be having bad effects on our bodies.

What Are Preservatives?

Some cakes, cookies and boxed foods can last for at least a year before they expire due to the addition of preservatives or food additives.

Some common preservatives in the past have been salt and sugar. Have you seen hams hanging from rafters in the general store? They were “curing” or being preserved using salt, sugar or nitrates (found in hot dogs and lunch meat). The preservatives used today are a combination of chemicals that can be harmful in large doses (some, in small ones) in the body.

Harmful Effects of Preservatives and Food Additives

Sugar and salt are simple compounds. They can be found in nature and the body is used to them. The substances that are used today as sugar substitutes and salt-like additives are a different story. Here are a few examples:

* Glutamates – Specifically, MSG (monosodium glutamate) has caused quite a stir. It is quite salty and can raise blood pressure. It has been removed from many foods because it can cause palpitations, headaches and dizziness. Some food companies still use it as a meat tenderizer.

* Nitrates – These are used to preserve meats like luncheon meat and hot dogs. The additive also tastes kind of salty. Too many nitrates or nitrites have been known to be a carcinogen.

* Sulfites – These are found in jarred foods, wine and vinegars. They can lead to headaches, allergies, palpitations and joint pain.

* Artificial sweeteners – We have all heard about aspartame, but what about Splenda® or acesulfame K? Some sweeteners that claim to be as sweet as sugar without the extra calories are using a mixture of harmful chemicals in the creation process. Using these chemicals can lead to allergies and also obesity.

* Dyes – If you’ve ever read a food label, you might see at least one dye mentioned. There are reds, blues and yellows. These dyes might not be as innocent as first thought. They have been suspected as carcinogens, growth retardants and also producing allergies.

Read your labels. What we put into our bodies may not be as simple as reading the front of the package. The ingredient list may tell a different story that is more detrimental.