Get to know the types of dangerous food preservatives

Food preservatives used to maintain food freshness and quality. However, you still need to be vigilant because there are certain types of food preservatives that are harmful to the body.

Food preservation is done as an effort to inhibit or prevent decomposition, acidification, fermentation, and other damage to food caused by bacteria, fungi, and microbes.

Get to know the types of dangerous food preservatives

Food Preservation Process

The food preservation process is generally done by two methods. The first is traditional methods, such as drying, cooling, and fermentation. And the second is the modern method, for example canning, pasteurization, freezing, food irradiation and chemical additives.

Food preservative chemicals used in the process, some are safe for consumption and some can endanger health , for example formalin and borax.

Both of these dangerous ingredients are often used to preserve tofu, noodles, and meatballs. If consumed in the long term, it can lead to heart, respiratory, kidney, skin, and even brain disorders.

Various Types of Food Preservatives to Avoid

Besides formalin and borax, there are also three kinds of dangerous food preservatives that must be avoided, namely:

  • Sodium benzoate or sodium benzoate
    Sodium benzoate e is an additive that is used as a preservative in various processed food and beverage products . Unfortunately, according to research, these food preservatives are thought to increase the risk of hyperactive behavior and can cause cancer.

    Leukemia and other types of cancer can occur especially if sodium benzoate is added to drinks that taste sour (artificial vitamin C). This mixture produces benzene, which is a chemical that triggers cancer (carcinogenic).

  • Sodium nitrate or sodium nitrate
    Sodium nitrate is a food preservative used in processed meat, such as sausages, beef jerky, fish or smoked meat, and ham. Allegedly, sodium nitrate can increase the risk of heart disease because it can damage blood vessels, making arteries tend to harden and narrow. Nitrates can also affect the way the body uses sugar, so the body is susceptible to diabetes.
  • TBHQ
    TBHQ or tertiary butylhydroquinone or tert-butylhydroquinone is a preservative for processed foods. TBHQ is usually used in vegetable oils, biscuits, noodles, frozen food, or fast food, to extend product shelf life and prevent rancid odors.

    These food preservatives are often used in conjunction with other additives, such as propyl gallate , butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), and butylated hydroxytoluene ( BHT). Research has found that this ingredient may interfere with the health of the liver, nerves, and increase tumor growth. In addition, it is also thought to affect human behavior to be hyperactive and unable to focus on something (ADHD).

After knowing what types of food preservatives are dangerous, you are advised to first read the composition of the ingredients and the types of food preservatives printed on the packaging label, before buying it. Careful choice in handling is one step to maintain the health of your body and family.

Label : Healthy living cat_Healthy living

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