Do Preservatives Add To Inflammation?

Preservatives are used in the food processing industry as additives that keep food from deteriorating while on the shelf. Almost 6,000 different chemical additives are currently being used in foods as preservatives. Many of these preservatives can cause inflammation in your body. If you are experiencing excess inflammation, contact your health care professional.

Preservatives in Food

The list of preservatives used in food processing is long, but being able to identify common ones can help you avoid consuming them. Some widely used preservatives include sulfur dioxide, which is a bleach used to prevent or hide brown spots in produce, and sodium benzoate, or benzoic acid, which is found in carbonated drinks, fruit juice and margarine. These additives have been found to cause severe allergic reactions. Also on the list are nitrates and nitrites, which are used for bacon and lunch meats and can cause nausea, vomiting and asthma. Other common additives are sulfites, sulfur dioxide and metabisulfites, which stop fungus from growing.

Causes of Inflammation

Inflammation can be caused by a lowered immune system. With chronic inflammation, identify factors that could trigger the lowered immune system. A diet containing higher amounts of carbs and low amounts of protein can be a trigger, as can polyunsaturated vegetable oils. Other causes can be high sugar diets that cause body imbalances, as well as wheat and dairy products that have been found to bring on inflammation in people with gluten and casein allergies.

Boosting Immune System

Harmful toxins contained in the foods you eat accumulate in your cells, tissues and organs, and disturb the immune system. Introducing healthy food back into the diet helps the body begin repairing itself the natural way. Diets of processed foods that contain harmful preservatives deplete important minerals needed for healthy tissue and repair, and leave traces of dangerous toxins overwhelming the immune system. Diets rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, with few processed, sugary foods, should boost the immune system.

Preservatives That Trigger Inflammation

Any food that contains harmful preservatives can be avoided by reading labels before buying. Hydrogenated products, chemical sweeteners such as aspartame, or NutraSweet, or saccharine (Sweet N Low) and foods that have been devitalized, then enriched and processed, all contain preservatives. Also, genetically modified, "naturally flavored" foods, foods with "natural color" and sugary products also contain potentially harmful preservatives. Paying close attention to the ingredients in your food is an important way to boost your immune system and aid in repairing damaged tissues, reducing inflammation and regaining vitality.