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We are here to talk about Artificial flavors, and other things you didn't know about the food you eat on a day to day basis.

Enjoy the games!!!!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 

Artificial flavors:

The only difference is that “natural flavors” are similar to those found in
real food, while artificial flavors are chemicals that do not exist in nature.
Both natural and artificial flavors are usually made from petroleum, not the
healthiest food choice. There are literally hundreds of these chemicals that
can be legally added to food. The bad news is that food manufacturer does not
have to list them individually.

So when you see “flavoring” mentioned on the label, the product may
contain one chemical or a few dozen of them.

Food in its natural state contains natural substances that give it a unique
smell and taste. Think of an orange or a banana. Modern chemical engineers
found a way to combine unnatural substances to mimic the natural taste of
foods. For example, octyl acetate is used to create an orange flavor, and
isoamyl acetate has banana flavor.

There are hundreds of such chemicals that can be used to create
virtually any taste, such as grape, cherry, orange, banana, apple, and so on.

Both “natural” and artificial flavors are considered “safe” by the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA), which is why they are allowed to be added to food.
But most of them have not been studied for safety or toxicity, especially when
combined together.

The fact is that they can be dangerous to our health.

They may cause allergies, have negative effect on the thyroid gland,
chromosomes, and enzymes. They have been linked to indigestion, headaches,
chest pain, fatigue, irritation of gastrointestinal tract, and other health
problems.

Some (borneol) may cause seizures, confusion and dizziness. Carvacrol
(oregano flavor) has been linked to problems with breathing and circulation and
even heart failure. Cinnamyl formate (cinnamon flavor) can irritate skin,
gastrointestinal tract, affect the kidneys and caused cancer in mice.

Since there are literally hundreds of different chemicals used as
flavorings, the list of potential side effects is a long one. The best thing you
can do is avoid any food that has flavoring as one of the ingredients, even if
it says “natural.”

If you see the word “flavor” on the label, put it
back. Eat real food instead.

Want strawberry flavor? Eat a strawberry. What banana flavor? Eat a banana. You
get the idea.

—READ MORE FROM DR. MICHAEL: The
Common Sense Health Guide – a refreshing read because it really is
full of common sense about health & nutrition issues, and from a real
doctor! (I’ll be paid a small commission if you buy through that link.)

—Scroll down through a
few posts with more about artificial flavors and colors and how it affects
kids’ attention span and behavior: FOODLESS FOODS.

—Have you seen these items I recommend that aren’t on my
resources page? (Thank you for helping support this site by buying
through those links.)

Part of Fight Back Friday & Wholesome whole foods carnival!

 

Mc.Donalds

2004
documentary Super Size Me states
"McDonald's Chicken McNuggets were originally made from old chickens no
longer able to lay eggs. These chickens are stripped down to the bone, and then 'ground up' into a
chicken mash, then combined with a variety of stabilizers and preservatives,
pressed into familiar shapes, breaded and deep fried, freeze dried, and then
shipped to a McDonald's near you". Super Size Me also alleged
inclusion of chemicals such as tertiary
butylhydroquinone (a
phenolic antioxidant used as a chemical preservative), polydimethylsiloxane (an anti-foaming agent), and other
ingredients not used by a typical home cook.^[9] This was recently restated by CNN.^[10] June 201d author of What to Eat, says the
tertiary butylhydroquinone and dimethylpolysiloxane in McNuggets probably pose
no health risks. As a general rule, though, she advocates not eating any food
with an ingredient you can’t pronounce.^[10]

As of October 9, 2010,
dimethylpolysiloxane and Tert-Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) are listed as ingredients in the
McNuggets cooking process.^[5] According to Lisa McComb, a media relations representative for McDonald's,
dimethylpolysiloxane is used as a matter of safety to keep the frying oil from
foaming. The chemical is a form of silicone also used in cosmetics and Silly Putty. A review of animal studies by the World
Health Organization found
no adverse health effects associated with dimethylpolysiloxane. TBHQ is a
common preservative for vegetable oils, cereals, nuts,
cookies, chips, and animal fats,^[11] found in other foods like Girl
Scout Cookies^[12] and Quaker Chewy
Granola Bars.^[13] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration sets an upper limit of 0.02% (0.0002) of the oil or fat content in foods,^[14]
which like other foods, applies to the oil used in McNuggets. Effective use of
TBHQ is 1 gram per 5000 grams of cooking oil (1 gram per 11 pounds of cooking
oil). One gram (one-thirtieth of an ounce) can cause "nausea, vomiting, ringing in the ears, delirium, a sense of suffocation, and collapse", according to A Consumer’s
Dictionary of Food Additives.^[10] Application to the skin may cause allergic
reactions^[15]
and industrial workers exposed to the vapors suffered clouding of the eye lens, without other obvious systemic effects.

 

Fast food nutrition should make up a minimal part of a
healthy diet. Fast foods and junk foods are high in fat, sodium and sugar,
which can lead to obesity and a range of attendant health problems, including
diabetes, heart disease and arthritis. Here are the facts about how excessive
junk food consumption affects your body.

Junk Food Affects Your Energy Levels

Junk food doesn't contain the nutrients your body needs to stay healthy. As
a result, you may feel chronically fatigued and lack the energy you need to
complete daily tasks. The high levels of sugar in junk food puts your
metabolism under stress; when you eat refined sugar, your pancreas secretes
high amounts of insulin to prevent a dangerous spike in blood sugar levels.

Because fast food and junk food don't contain adequate amounts of protein
and good carbohydrates, your blood sugar levels will drop suddenly after
eating, leaving you feeling grumpy, fatigued and craving sugar.

Junk Food Contributes to Poor Performance and Obesity

Junk food contains large amounts of fat, and as fat accumulates in your
body, you'll gain weight and could become obese. The more weight you gain, the
more you'll be at risk for serious chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart
disease and arthritis. You could even have a heart attack.

The high levels of fat and sodium in junk food can cause high blood
pressure or hypertension. Excessive dietary sodium can also have a negative
effect on renal function, even leading to kidney disease.

In the short term, high levels of dietary fat lead to poor cognitive
performance. You'll feel tired and have trouble concentrating because your body
might not be getting enough oxygen.

Junk Food Can Damage Your Liver and Your Heart

The high levels of fat and sodium in junk food and fast food can contribute
to heart disease by raising blood cholesterol levels and contributing to
arterial plaque build up. The high levels of trans fatty acids found in many
junk foods and fast foods can lead to fatty liver deposits, which, over time,
can cause liver dysfunction and disease.

Junk Food Can Lead to Diabetes

Over time, the high levels of sugar and simple carbohydrates in junk food
can lead to type 2 diabetes. This occurs because eating too much sugar puts
your metabolism under stress; when you eat a lot of refined white sugar and
simple carbohydrates, your body has to pump up insulin production to prevent a
dangerous spike in blood sugar levels.

Because junk food doesn't contain the protein or complex carbohydrates that
your body needs to maintain consistent blood sugar levels, your blood sugar
levels will drop suddenly soon after eating. You'll crave sugar and likely end
up eating more junk food.

Over time, this stress damages your body's ability to use the insulin
secreted by your pancrease. A healthy diet can help maintain your body's
insulin sensitivity.

Even in the short term, eating too much junk food can make you feel really
uncomfortable. It can lead to mood swings and constipation, and lower your
energy levels so that you lack interest in the exercise you need to burn off
those extra calories.

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