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What Curious Kids wants to know What makes the food taste so good and last a long, long time? The answer is chemical additives. These are “luxuries.” They’re things we add to our food to make it more appealing, more flavorful and longer lasting. But some of the chemical additives in food are unhealthy. Witness the insidiousness of chemical additives in your food and how to save yourself.
Processed foods are filled with artificial colors and flavors that make them look nice and taste better. But not all synthetic chemicals are safe. They’ve been linked to issues like hyperactivity in children, allergies and cancer, to name a few. Certain artificial colorants like Red 40 and Yellow 5 are banned in other countries because they’re considered to be harmful.
There is one such preservative – sodium nitrite. The chemical prevents the growth of bacteria and gives processed meats like bacon their pink hue. But in foods like bacon and hot dogs, sodium nitrite is linked to an elevated risk of cancer. You have to avoid food that is filled with toxics preservatives and inspect carefully the food packaging label.
So now that you understand a bit more about how risky food chemicals can be, how can you steer clear of them? “One simple way is to eat as close to whole products that are not as processed as you can. Go for a healthy diet high in fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean meats, and free from toxins.
When you do buy packaged food, read the ingredients. Look out for names like “artificial colors,” “artificial flavors” and “preservatives,” then choose products that don’t include these additives. You can also try to find as many organic options as you can, since they’re less likely to be sprayed with synthetic anti static agents chemicals.
Health conditions like allergies, asthma and obesity have been linked to the consumption of food products that have chemical additives. For children and teens with ADHD, as well as other behavior problems, the addition of artificial colors and flavors can compound symptoms. And the preservatives, like sodium nitrite, which can raise cancer and other long-term risks.
By eating good things and not eating bad things, you can stay healthy and reduce your risk of developing a number of common health problems. So the next time you go to the super market or the food store’ try and find some foods that don’t have ca oh 2 chemical in them – your body will thank you for it!
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