Preservatives in Food to Avoid

Food preservation is one of the oldest techniques used by humans in order to prevent the food products from spoilage. All food items, except for the one that grows in our vegetable garden contains preservatives in them. The main purpose of this is to keep the foods from getting spoiled during transportation or while storing. Hence, food preservatives prevent bacteria, mold and yeast growth that preserve the color and flavor of the foods, and help in keeping the foods fresh. In fact, every manufacturer adds food preservatives during the processing of foods to avoid food spoilage.

Food preservation is done using different techniques like boiling, freezing & refrigeration, pasteurizing, dehydrating, pickling, etc. Moreover, some natural food preservatives, like salt, sugar, vinegar and other spices are also used in order to preserve foods. Hence, food preservatives benefit by preserving the natural characteristic and appearance of the food, as well as, by increasing the shelf life of the food for storage.

Although food additives or preservatives added in the food products benefit us in many ways, there are some types of preservatives that are harmful and may end up causing different health ailments. Some of them are toxic and carcinogenic in nature and so can impact our central nervous system, reproductive health, behavior and overall immune system. Hence, in order to overcome all these adverse effects, one has to avoid purchasing and eating foods containing such preservatives. Below given is a list of the common food preservatives to avoid that may cause serious health concerns. You will also get the answer to the question, are preservatives in food bad.

Food Preservatives to Avoid

Propyl Gallate: Propyl gallate is a food preservative used in vegetable oil, meat products, potato sticks, chicken soup base and chewing gum. This preservative prevents fat and oils from getting spoiled but has been quite often linked to different types of cancers.

Nitrates: Nitrates, especially, sodium nitrate is commonly used in meats, canned foods and cheese. Although these preservatives are known to add flavor, maintain color and prevent botulism in many processed foods, they are carcinogenic in nature and may cause adverse reactions like headache, vomiting, etc. in people, especially children.

Sulfur Dioxide and Sulfites: Sulfur Dioxide and sulfites are antioxidants, commonly found in alcohols, especially, wines, fruits and dried fruits, soft drinks and some vegetables. These preservatives are known to destroy vitamin B1 in the body and can cause adverse reactions in patients suffering from asthma.

Benzoic Acid and Sodium Benzoate: Benzoic acid and sodium benzoate are food preservatives found in sauces, fruit juices, margarine, salads, baked food products, cheeses, jams, pickled products, etc. Both these preservatives are known to cause skin disorders like dermatitis (pseudoallergy) and eczema, and eye irritation, especially, in people suffering from asthma or urticaria (rash). These two chemical compounds are also used in many oral medications and ointments.

Butylated Hydroxyanisole and Hydroxytoluene (BHA and BHT): BHA and BHT are another types of preservatives in food that should be avoided, as they are carcinogenic in nature and can lead to hyperactivity, allergic reactions, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, asthma attacks, etc. when consumed in higher concentrations. These preservatives are commonly found in fat and oil rich foods like snacks, cereals, soft drinks, etc.

Sodium Citrate: Sodium citrate are toxic preservatives in foods, which if consumed in large amounts can cause bladder tumors. These preservatives are often found in meats and baby foods.

Tertiary Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ): Another common preservative in foods to be avoided is TBHQ, which is usually added to foods high in fat and oils. It is a petroleum based preservative which can lead to nausea and delirium (a state of violent mental agitation) in people.

These were some of the common preservatives present in food to be avoided. I hope the next time you purchase any food product, you will take a close look at the ingredients listed on the label and after evaluating their pros and cons you will make your decision.