The fast pace of modern society has caused people to take in unhealthy food.

Without you realizing it, your lifestyle choices have damaged your health and environment. The good news is that awareness about them is rising. To boost it further, here’s a list of toxic substances that you don’t want in your food.

10 Toxic Substances Found in Foods You Probably Eat Every Day

There are many toxic substances in your food, so this list is not exhaustive. They are, however, some of the most dangerous.

1. Artificial Food Flavors and Colors

First of all, are artificial food flavors and colors which are created in a laboratory. As such, they hold no nutritional value. You’ll find them in almost everything you eat, including cereals, bread, cocktails, and yogurt.

Each artificial flavor will harm your body in some way. This study shows that children with autism show a low tolerance for artificial flavors. Artificial colors also damage the body. Found in fruit cocktail and candy, they have links with bladder cancer.

2. Wheat

Please don’t gasp because your favorite breakfast makes this list. The refined grains you take every morning are not as healthy for you as you think. According to studies, they cause inflammation.

3. Sodium and Potassium Benosate

Sodium Benzoate becomes dangerous when combined with ascorbic acid. This study revealed that it altered the cells in rats’ brains. Potassium Benzoate, which you’ll find in seemingly harmless foods like salad dressings, jams, olives, and pickles, has the same effect.

4. Fractionated oil

The word ‘fractionating; may cause you to lift your eyebrows. What it means is that manufacturers break oil into parts, or fractions, after putting it through a heating and cooling process. Breaking oil down this way leaves traces of unhealthy fat.

Many manufacturers heat up naturally beneficial oils made of palm, soybean, or canola. The oils become efficient preservatives because they no longer contain enzymes. This artificial procedure is like adding plastic to your body. Therefore, avoid hydrogenated oil like you would synthetic sludge.

5. Monosodium Glutamate

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) conceals itself expertly in your must-have flavorings like yeast, autolyzed yeast extract, and pea protein. Manufactures hydrolyze, modify or ferment food, therefore freeing the glutamic acids tied to it. They refine it until it becomes, white, crystallized MSG.

MSG doesn’t have any nutritional benefits. Furthermore, the glutamate harms the human body, causing headaches, Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease.

6. Sugar

Your mom has told you since time began that you shouldn’t have too many sweet chocolates or cake. And she had a valid reason for instructing you to stay away from them.

Sugar is a delicious, deceptively destructive substance. You’ll find it in your favorite soft drinks. What’s disappointing is that manufacturers load healthy drinks with it to enhance their taste.



These sweet crystals cause spikes in blood pressure. They also trigger hormonal imbalance and destroy the liver. A new study points to its toxicity.

7. Potassium and Sodium Benzoate

Sodium Benzoate is the carcinogenic poison you’ll find in charred meat. It’s a food hazard, especially when combined with ascorbic acid. These cells damage cells known as the mitochondria.

Benzoate appears in salad dressings, syrups and a variety of preserved foods because it stops enzymes from breaking them down. However, it’s as harmful as sodium benzoate.

8. Sweeteners

Sweeteners like Acesulfame-K, Sucralose, and Aspartame, are among the many toxic substances in your food. Food producers use them liberally, in place of sugar, to sweeten drinks; Sugar often gets the blame for weight woes, so manufacturers have turned to sweeteners to improve the taste of their products. This study reveals that Acesulfame-K may, ironically, harm your metabolism and cause weight gain.

9. Preservatives

Preservatives, such as Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) and Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) preserve vegetable oil, processed foods, and cereals. Propyl Gallate prevents meat and chicken soup base from rotting.

Though these preservatives have benefits, they are oxidants that may cause cancerous reactions in your body. A host of studies proves that chemicals cause cell growth in the stomach.

10. Sodium

The mainstream media often warns us about sodium chloride, otherwise known as salt. It’s what makes you want to savor your roast chicken. It’ll also surprise you to know that this artificial creation has nothing to do with rock or sea salt. There is some evidence that it causes hypertension if you don’t remove it from your body.

11. Soy

Soy has garnered respect for being a cholesterol-free health food. You’ll find it in about 60% of the food you eat. Research shows that it damages estrogen, the hormone women need to ovulate. Therefore, it lowers fertility rates and may even cause breast cancer.

Another product often used in health foods is lecithin. Lecithin is a popular health food supplement, but you’ll balk if you find out that it’s the sludge left after manufacturers process crude soy. All said, organic or fermented soy is healthy.

12. Corn

Also on this list of products to avoid is corn. Corn is sweet and delicious. However, even fresh corn is dubious. Furthermore, it’s hard to tell if farmers have genetically modified it.

13. Canola oil

Canola or grapeseed oil is an excellent insect repellent but makes poor food. You’ll hesitate to buy it when you find out that canola is genetically modified corn. Do avoid products that use it.

In all, you’ll come across toxic substances in your food, so do read the labels before bringing them to the supermarket cashier.

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