Food additives and benefits when used properly
Many consumers with constant fear of additives claim they are toxic chemicals. However, this concern is unnecessary for authorized additives because these substances have been shown to be safe for human health at acceptable levels.
Make food always fresh
Food additives, if properly used, will help us to enjoy a healthy variety of seasonal foods. Additives will keep your food fresh in at least five ways: Slow down the process. Maintain and enhance nutritional value for food. An indispensable ingredient in the manufacture of breads and pastries. Increases the color, taste and appearance of food. Keep the taste and texture of the food unchanged
In fact, the food additives labeled under the scientific name sounds strange but actually very familiar with the name everyday. For example: salt is sodium chloride, vitamin C is ascorbic acid and vitamin E is alpha-tocopherol.
Not all additives are familiar, but remember that all the food we eat is made up of the same chemical composition as the human body. Standard food production processes will only allow the use of food additives at acceptable levels while still achieving the finished product requirements.
The most commonly used food additives include salt, sugar, corn syrup, vitamin C, vitamin E, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). These substances work to prolong the life of the product, prevent the steaming process of grease and prevent color change and change the structure of food.
Food additives bring the convenience and efficiency of a range of nutritious fresh foods. Their content in food is very small, but the effect is very large. Without additives, it is difficult to obtain the richness and diversity of today’s foods.
Additives that are supplemented with the purpose of increasing the nutritional value of the food are especially beneficial for health as it replenishes the nutrients lost during food processing. For example, powders and rice added with B vitamins were lost during the milling process.
As a rule, some foods will be fortified with important nutrients to ensure that consumers get enough of the recommended daily nutrients, such as vitamin D added to milk, vitamin A added to margarine, iron and folic acid added to flour and grains.
Non-pathogenic additive in children
A few years ago, TS. Benjamin Feingold, an allergist pediatrician, stated that childhood hyperactivity was significantly improved when they followed a diet that eliminated food additives, artificial colors and flavors as well as natural salicylates in fruits and vegetables. However, when scientifically verified, the diet offered by the doctor did not work as well as he said. Improvements in the dynamics of some children are primarily parents’ concern.
In another study, a group of children with severe hyperactivity had a behavioral change in the worse when they consumed foods supplemented with artificial colors in large doses. However, the dose of the additive used in this study is many times greater than the actual amount in the food, so this discovery is not practical.
Also note that children can be very sensitive to any food additives. Therefore, if you are sure that your child’s behavioral changes are related to your diet, talk to your doctor right away. The specialists will help you determine your child’s condition accurately and make recommendations about cutting down on certain foods and offering alternative foods.
Assoc. Pham Van Hoan (Institute of Applied Medicine of Vietnam)
