mna asked in EnvironmentGreen Living · 1 decade ago

give me the top 10 chemicals they put into our food to stay away from......?

10 Answers

  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    - Partially Hydrogenated Oil

    Hydrogenated oils contain high levels of trans fats

    Gives baked goods and snacks a longer shelf life

    Trans fats increase harmful LDL cholesterol and decrease good cholesterol, both of which contribute to heart disease

    - Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO)

    BVO is an additive created by mixing vegetable oil with the element bromine

    Gives the flavoring oils in soda the same density as water

    The emulsified flavor oils stay suspended in the drink, boosting flavor in many citric-based fruit and soft drinks

    Causes a significant increase of triglyceride and cholesterol content in both heart and liver

    Residues in rats accumulated in body fat, damaging organs including heart, liver, thyroid, testicles, and kidneys

    - High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)

    HFCS was developed in the 1970s because it was cheaper than cane and beet sugar

    With a high glycemic index, it converts to fat more than any other sugar

    It alters the metabolic rate in a way that favors fat storage

    Research suggests that it is a major factor of obesity

    HFCS increases the risk for type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, strokes, and cancer

    - Artificial Colors & Flavorings

    Artificial colors are chemical compounds made mainly from coal-tar derivatives

    Artificial colors have been linked to allergic reactions, asthma, skin rashes, hyperactivity, headaches and fatigue

    Artificial flavors are cheaply produced chemical mixtures that mimic a natural flavor

    Artificial flavors also linked to numerous sensitivities

    - Benzoate Preservatives: BHT, BHA, TBHQ

    Benzoates are antioxidants normally used as sodium, potassium, or calcium salts and their derivatives

    Benzoates are often used in cereals, butter, meats, baked goods, snack foods, dehydrated potatoes, and beer

    Can result in hyperactivity, asthma, urticaria, rhinitis, dermatitis and angiodema

    Believed to cause tumors in lab rats

    - Caffeine

    Caffeine is a mildly additive stimulant

    Caffeine increases heartbeat, respiration, basil metabolic rate, gastro enteric reflexes and production of stomach acid and urine

    Caffeine affects the kidneys, increasing urination which can lead to dehydration

    Caffeine is metabolized by the liver

    Caffeine can lead to osteoporosis, infertility, heart disease, jitteriness, headaches, irritability, sleeplessness, possible birth defects, and depression

    - Artificial Sweeteners

    - Acesulfame-K: commonly used in sugar-free baked goods, chewing gum, gelatin desserts and soft drinks. May be cancerous

    - Aspartame (Equal, NutraSweet): can cause sensitivities resulting in headaches, dizziness, and hallucinations

    Saccharin: has resulted in cancer of the uterus, ovaries, skins, blood vessels and other organs in lab rats; may cause bladder cancer

    - Sucralose (Splenda): artificial sweetener used mainly in diet foods; made by chemically reacting sugar with chlorine

    Sorbitol: a sweetener used as a thickening agent; maintains moisture in dietetic drinks, foods, candy, shredded coconut and chewing gum; commonly has a laxative effect

    - MSG (Monosodium Glutamate)

    MSG is an amino acid flavor enhancer

    Flavor enhancers are believed to stimulate appetites contributing to obesity

    MSG is used mainly in restaurant food, salad dressing, chips, frozen entrees, soup and chips

    Sensitivities to MSG include headaches, nausea, weakness, wheezing, edema, change in heart rate, burning sensation, and difficulty breathing

    - Olestra

    Olestra is an indigestible fat substitute used mainly in foods that are fried and baked

    It is a non-absorbable lipid-like substance that inhibits the absorption of some vitamins and other nutrients

    Linked to gastrointestinal disease, diarrhea, gas, cramps, bleeding, and incontinence.

    Olestra can collect and assimilate fat-soluble vitamins present in other foods, reducing their ability to be absorbed. Long-term use of Olestra can reduce fat-soluble vitamin (including E, A, D and K) absorption.

    - Sodium Nitrite and Nitrate

    Preservatives used in preserving, coloring and flavoring cured meats and fish

    They prevent botulism and are a color fixative

    Nitrites/Nitrates can combine with chemicals in the stomach to form nitrosamine, a highly carcinogenic substance

  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    My top ten dog foods, in no particular order: 1. Canidae 2. Wellness 3. Solid Gold 4. Innova 5. Taste of the Wild 6. Timberwolf Organics 7. Merrick 8. Fromm 9. Nature's Variety 10. Orijen Best foods you can find at Petco or Petsmart: Found at Petco: Natural Balance Eagle Pack Holistic (be sure it's Holistic) Pinnacle Blue Buffalo Found at Petsmart: Blue Buffalo

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Kenny, your information is bogus.

    High fructose corn syrup is not genetically altered corn, it is a product produced by converting the starch in corn, any corn, into sugar. The sugar produced is fructose, also know as fruit sugar. It is the same sugar found in apples, grapes and honey.

    Fructose is no different than any other sugar with regard to its health effects. If you eat too much, you will gain weight. It is sweeter to taste than sucrose (common table sugar) so as a sweetener, you need less of it to reach the same effect. It also has a slightly different taste than sucrose.

    If you have any scientific evidence to support you claims, please post.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    I'll give you one, and only one: high fructose corn syrup.

    Long in short: HFCS does the following things that are bad:

    * It is genetically altered corn to produce a higher fructose yield. This 'mutant' corn has not been tested for safe consumption by a living being.

    * The extraordinarily high fructose levels in it inhibit copper metabolism. This is especially bad for men.

    * They also inhibit insulin production. This means your body will not feel full nearly as fast; enabling you to consume more calories.

    * fructose is more readily stored as fat than burned and used as actual energy, hence sometimes a feeling of lethargy afterwards.

    * There is evidence to suggest, though no proof (yet) that is has addictive qualities.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago



    Partially Hydrogenated Oils



    Monosodium Glutamate

    Sodium Benzoate

    Sodium Nitrite

    Sodium Pyrophospate

    The list is too long to mention here

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    the main ones are trans fats (AKA hydrogenated vegtable oil) and sodium nitrate.

    the first is a processed fat which greatly increases the risks of a heart atack and the second is a preservative that has been linked to canser.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    With so many processed goods, other than high fructose corn syrup and that hydrogenated stuff, if you can't pronounce it, don't eat it. It's getting harder to do now, though.

  • 1 decade ago



    Artificial colouring.

    And many more.

  • 1 decade ago

    MSG monosodium glutamate I think it is its bad

  • satya
    Lv 5
    1 decade ago

    prepare your own food and you'll never have to worry :]

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