Food additives are regularly part of commercial products. Ingredient listings will include these additives on the label. Additives function to improve safety and freshness, maintain the nutrition value and improve the taste, texture and appearance, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Some food additives may be directly added to the product or may be an indirect result of packaging, storage or other handling. Not all food additives and ingredients are healthy, however, and consumers should always check the label before purchasing a product.
Monosodium Glutamate
Monosodium glutamate, or MSG, is a common food additive used regularly for decades. MayoClinic.com warns, however, that MSG has had many adverse reactions reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. For example, headache, flushing, sweating, rapid and fluttering heartbeats, chest pain, nausea and weakness were common reactions, now known as MSG symptom complex. Although there is no definitive link between MSG and these reactions, avoiding this additive can prevent any health-related complications. Additionally, in 2008 the study "Association of Monosodium Glutamate Intake with Overweight in Chinese Adults: the INTERMAP Study" published in the journal "Obesity" conducted by Ka He et al. found that MSG was a prevalent factor in overweight individuals, independent of physical activity and total energy intake.
High Fructose Corn Syrup
High fructose corn syrup is a main ingredient in many soda, candy and sweetened food items. It functions not only as a sweetener, but also as a preservative. It is made by altering the sugar in cornstarch into fructose, according to MayoClinic.com. KidsHealth says that high fructose corn syrup is a contributing factor in the obesity epidemic in the U.S. Many of the products that contain this ingredient are usually high in calories and low in nutritional value. Alternately, some products like whole-wheat bread may contain high fructose corn syrup making it a deceptive purchase. This can contribute significantly to sugar intake, making label reading imperative.
Hydrogenated and Partially Hydrogenated Oils
Hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils create trans fat. Trans fat is dually detrimental to your health as it lowers your high-density lipoprotein, or "good" cholesterol, and increases your low-density lipoprotein, or "bad" cholesterol, according to MayoClinic.com. Hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils are procured through a process called hydrogenation, which adds hydrogen to a vegetable oil. Although this increases the shelf life of a product it contributes to obesity and heart disease in those who consume it. Commercial baked goods like crackers, cookies and cakes, as well as fried foods often contain these ingredients, MayoClinic.com says.
References
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Food Ingredients and Colors
- "Obesity"; Association of Monosodium Glutamate Intake with Overweight in Chinese Adults: the INTERMAP Study; Ka He et al.; August 2008
- MayoClinic.com: Monosodium Glutamate - Is It Bad for You?
- KidsHealth: Carbohydrates, Sugar and Your Child
- MayoClinic.com: Trans Fat is Double Trouble for Your Heart Health
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