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Recognize the Dangerous Type of Food Preservatives

Food preservatives are used to maintain freshness and quality of food. However, you still need to be vigilant because there are certain types of food preservatives that are harmful to the body. Food preservation is carried out as an effort to inhibit or prevent decomposition, acidification, fermentation, and other damage to food caused by bacteria, fungi, and microbes.

Food Preservation Process

The process of food preservation is generally carried out by two methods. First is traditional methods, such as drying, cooling, and fermentation. And the second is modern methods, such as canning, pasteurization, freezing, food irradiation and chemical additives. Food preservative chemicals used in the process, some are safe for consumption and some are harmful to health, for example formalin and borax. Both of these harmful ingredients are often used to preserve tofu, noodles, and meatballs. If consumed in the long term, can cause heart problems, respiratory system, kidney, skin, and even brain disorders.

Various Types of Food Preservatives to Avoid

In addition to formaldehyde and borax, there are also three types of dangerous food preservatives that must be avoided, namely:

  • Sodium benzoate or sodium benzoate

    • Sodium benzoate is an additive (additive) that is used as a preservative in various processed food and beverage products. Unfortunately, according to research, 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 is triggering cancer (carcinogenic).

  • Sodium nitrate or sodium nitrate

    • Sodium nitrate is a food preservative used in processed meat, such as sausages, jerky, fish or smoked meat, and ham. Supposedly, sodium nitrate can increase the risk of heart disease because it can damage blood vessels, making the arteries tend to harden and narrow. Nitrates can also affect the way the body uses sugar, so the body is vulnerable to diabetes.

  • TBHQ

    • TBHQ or tertiary butylhydroquinone or tert-butylhydroquinone are preservatives for processed foods. TBHQ is commonly used in vegetable oils, biscuits, noodles, frozen foods, or fast food, to extend the shelf life of products and prevent rancidity. These food preservatives are often used together with other additives, such as propyl gallate, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) , and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). The study found that this material might interfere with the health of the liver, nerves, and increase tumor growth. In addition, it is also thought to influence human behavior to become 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 ingredients and types of food preservatives listed on the packaging label, before buying it. Careful in choosing treatment is one step to maintain the health of your body and family.

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