The impact of food additives on health

Feeding

Food additives are compounds that are added to processed or industrially produced foods. Its role is to improve safety, increase the shelf life or modify the sensory properties of the food.

There are hundreds of thousands of food additives. These They can be obtained from plants, animals, minerals or from chemical synthesis. Before being used, they are evaluated and approved by authorized bodies at the national, regional and international level.

However, Some food additives have been the subject of controversy, due to possible health problems associated with its consumption. These include artificial colors and sweeteners, preservatives, hydrogenated fats and flavor enhancers.

food additives

Food additives are substances added to foods with the aim of preserve its freshness, improve its texture, flavor or color. They are used in processed and fresh foods. They can be artificial or natural.

Although it is often thought that additives have negative health effects, the reality is very different. These compounds are rigorously evaluated and monitored. They are only approved if there is evidence that they do not cause problems for the body.

The belief that foods without additives are automatically healthier does not always have a solid scientific basis. A healthy diet is characterized by being rich in whole, unprocessed foods and low in added sugars and unhealthy fats, regardless of the presence of food additives.

The importance of additives

Food additives seek improve food qualityprolong its useful life and meet consumer demands in terms of flavor, texture and appearance.

These compounds allow the freshness, flavor and appearance of many foods to be preserved. Most of them are completely safe and, in fact, improve the experience of diners.

Without these additives, food costs could increase. Producers would have to find new ways to preserve and improve the quality of food products. Likewise, there would be less availability of some foods.

Risks

The truth is that some additives could have negative effects on health. It has been found that eventually alter the intestinal microbiota and cause inflammation. In these conditions, it is easier to develop chronic diseases.

Likewise, food additives can cause hypersensitivity and pseudoallergic reactions. These do not involve the immune system, but they do cause symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, nausea, headaches, palpitations, circulatory problems, asthma and skin problems.

There is also a suspicion that certain additives promote the appearance of behavioral disorders in childrensuch as hyperactivity and attention deficit.

However, it should be noted that no solid evidence of such negative effects has been found so far. The available studies are not conclusive about.

Evaluation is key

food additives are evaluated to determine possible harmful effects for human health, before being approved for commercial use. This evaluation is carried out by authorized organizations.

The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) is the international organization in charge to evaluate the safety of food additives.

JECFA bases its evaluations on scientific review of biochemical, toxicological and other data. This includes mandatory animal studies and human observations.

Such studies allow you to determine what the acceptable daily intake is of a food additive. That is, the amount that can be consumed daily without harmful effects on health.

The labeling

The rules of the Codex Alimentarius are the reference used by national regulations and international food trade to ensure food safety and quality.

Food labeling must comply with standards and guidelines established by the Codex Alimentarius. The additives present in a product should always be clearly indicated so that consumers can identify them and make informed decisions.

Diet and health

One of the main problems with food additives is that Their use is so widespread that it is difficult to completely avoid them in our diet.. Many processed foods contain a large amount of additives, which makes it very difficult to follow a diet free of these substances. Furthermore, the lack of transparency in food labeling can make it difficult to identify the additives present in a product, which makes the task of avoiding its consumption even more difficult.

Despite these risks, it is important to remember that Not all food additives are harmful to health. Some additives, such as antioxidants and stabilizers, are safe and are used to prevent food from oxidizing or keeping food fresher longer. The key is to inform yourself about the additives used in the foods we consume and to limit their consumption as much as possible.

Avoiding risks

To minimize the risks associated with the consumption of food additives, it is important to follow a series of recommendations. First of all, as we have seen in previous paragraphs It is essential to read food labeling carefully and avoid those products that contain a large amount of artificial additives. In addition, it is recommended to opt for fresh and natural foods whenever possible, as these usually contain fewer additives than processed foods.

Another important measure is expand our diet and consume a wide variety of foods to ensure that we are receiving all the nutrients necessary to maintain our health. Finally, it is important to pay attention to possible symptoms of intolerance or allergies to certain additives and consult with a health professional if in doubt.

Recommended readings

Health problems caused by additives

Health implications of additives