Side effects of food additives

Although we find them every day in most of the food products and beverages that we consume, the truth is that the Food Additives continue to be an issue of concern for most consumers today, especially in relation to whether or not they are really harmful to health, and above all, what are their side effects.

As we have already explained to you several times, food additives they are substances or compounds that are added to foods and beverages in an industrial way at the moment they are made. Depending on their function, there are different types of food additives: while some improve the taste, appearance or texture of the food, others allow to extend the period of consumption.

In fact, although today we can -and should- talk about industrial additives, did you know that humans have been using natural additives for centuries? And we learned a long time ago to conserve meat and fish with salting and smoked techniques, or to improve the conservation of the food obtained during the harvest. From a historical point of view, while the Egyptians used aromas and dyes in order to improve some foods, the Romans already used potassium nitrate (brine), spices or certain natural colors.

However, as we see, the real concern would come from the use of those additives that are not natural.

Do food additives cause side effects?

The truth is that very rarely food additives cause or cause certain allergic reactions. Although the most common and usual in this regard are the following:

  • Sulfites: can cause problems in people sensitive to those known as sulphitation agents. They are used to control the proliferation of microbes in fermented beverages. In asthmatic and sensitive people, sulfites can cause shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.
  • Monosodium glutamate: composed of sodium and glutamic acid, it is used as a flavor enhancer in prepared foods, and especially in Chinese food. Although it is believed that it can cause headache and tingling in the body (a condition traditionally known as the syndrome of the Chinese restaurant), the fact is that some scientific studies have observed that this relationship would not exist.
  • Aspartame: it is a well-known sweetener commonly used in dietetic products. It is thought that it could cause adverse effects similar to monosodium glutamate, but they have not been proven by scientific studies.
  • Certain dyesAs for example carmina (E 120 or red cochineal) or tartrazine (E 102), which could cause allergic reactions in sensitive people, such as nasal congestion, urticaria and skin rashes.

As we can see, the truth is that most of the side effects caused by food additives are mainly due to a greater sensitivity that the person can have towards them (allergic and / or adverse related reactions), or for a excessive consumption of food or food products with the presence of certain additives. Such is the case of excessive consumption of sugar-free gum and its content in sorbitol, which could cause diarrhea.

Image | tim ellis This article is published for informational purposes only. You can not and should not replace the consultation with a Nutritionist. We advise you to consult your trusted Nutritionist.

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