Why is preserved food unhealthy

Over the last few decades, the number of chemicals added to foods and other products has skyrocketed. We have created all sorts of plastics that are used in innumerable ways.

We add preservatives to foods to keep them fresh. We add chemicals to foods to make them look more appealing. We have made food packaging to keep food fresh.

Exclusively consuming high fat, high sugar products that contain preservatives will have negative long-term health consequences. However, we have not yet determined that these health impacts are related to the use of chemical preservatives within recommended quantities or are the consequences of an overall unhealthy lifestyle. Research is ongoing regarding specific preservative ingredients and their health impacts. Researchers and the U. FDA take food safety seriously and strive to ensure all foods and food products are safe for everyone to consume.

Thus, researchers work with food regulatory agencies to share essential preservative discoveries so agencies can modify preservation regulations and guidelines based on science.

Common antimicrobial preservatives used to reduce the microbial spoilage of foods by inhibiting the growth of bacteria, yeasts, and molds. Below you will find the ingredient and the products it typically preserves. Common antioxidants used to prevent oxidation. Whether you are freezing, canning, smoking or doing other preservation processes, anyone can preserve foods safely if they follow all guidelines outlined by the USDA.

Our foods spoil and lose palatability quickly without preservatives. By using preservatives and preservation techniques responsibly, we can reduce food waste, increase food shelf-life, and help feed people with limited access to a safe, consistent food supply. Next, in our series, we will explore preservatives in cosmetics and household products.

What do preservatives do? What are preservation techniques? To can food safely, one must ensure: the food contents reach a specific acidity level; this usually requires the addition of a chemical such as ascorbic acid Vitamin C or salt. Are preservatives safe to consume? Several of them are toxic and several others have potentially life-threatening side effects. Researchers have reported that artificial preservatives such as nitrates, benzoates, sulfites, sorbates, parabens, formaldehyde, BHT, BHA and several others can cause serious health hazards such as hypersensitivity, allergy, asthma, hyperactivity, neurological damage and cancer.

Research has proven that several natural preservatives obtained from plants, animals, microbes and minerals contain antioxidant, antimicrobial and antienzymatic properties. Extracts of basil, clove, neem and rosemary are promising alternatives to their artificial counterparts.

This article aims at increasing awareness about the harmful effects of artificial preservatives and recommends the usage of natural preservatives for better therapeutic efficacy, safety and preservation of substances along with improved general health.