Preservatives are often decried by the natural health community. To be fair, preservatives are effective at preventing foodborne illness. However, naturalists are correct that preservatives have a significant downside: they’ve been shown to lead to a variety of cancers, damage to the nerves, ADHD, and numerous other health disorders. Be aware that much of the scientific research on preservatives has involved high-quantity intake by lab animals, which may have skewed some studies. However, the general scientific consensus suggests that preservatives should be avoided.
Fresh vegetables, not sodium benzoate
If you want to avoid preservatives that are particularly dangerous, cut down on any items – even “natural health”and weight loss products – containing the following ingredients:
- Potassium bromate – If you get bread from a natural food store as part of your healthy diet, you may notice “unbleached” and/or “unbromated” flour in the ingredients list. The latter term refers to potassium bromate, which stimulates additional gluten development. This chemical represents a dual threat: the UK and Canada have banned it as a carcinogen, and many health authorities argue against excessive gluten.
- Sodium nitrate – Different preservatives tend to protect different types of food. Sodium nitrate is used to cure processed meat, such as sausage or hot dogs. Unfortunately for the eggs and sausage crowd, ingesting this chemical can lead to cancer of the pancreas and lungs, per the National Toxicology Program (part of the United States HHS Department).
- Sodium benzoate – Anyone developing a healthy diet should limit soft drinks, and not just because they are incredibly acidic. Soda also usually includes sodium benzoate, which both has negative neurological ramifications and could increase hyperactive behavior (the latter according to a 2008 British Medical Journal study).
- BHA – This chemical is typically used in chips and baked foods. It prevents oxidation of fats in the products so that they do not spoil. However, BHA is an established carcinogen, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
- Propyl gallate – When trying to eat healthy and foster weight loss, avoid any foods containing propyl gallate. Unfortunately, this preservative is used in a broad spectrum of products: snack foods, cookies, meat, and even makeup and medications.
As you can see, eating a healthy diet is not just about upping your fresh produce and reducing your desserts. It’s also about reading ingredient lists to avoid chemicals such as the above. The safest general approach is to limit packaged items, replacing them with fresh foods and homemade meals.
Healthy eating for weight loss and wellness can get complicated, so it’s helpful to have experts on your side. A customized program at the Atlanta Medical Clinic, incorporating multidisciplinary tactics such as nutrition, can help you lose up to 30 pounds in 30 days.