Harmful effects of artificial food colors / food dyes
Food colors and artificial flavors are chemicals that are added to the food to enhance the appearance as well as the taste of the food. The problem with all these substances is that they are chemicals made in factories. Our bodies are not well equipped to absorb, digest, and process the chemicals but the modern food industry is trying to turn our bodies into chemical factories so that they can sell more products, get us addicted to their junk food and make more profits. Keep one thing in mind, More the shelf life, less your life.
Let’s check out the history of artificial food colors. Food manufactures have been using artificial food colors for ages. Earlier they were created from coal tar and in modern days they are made from petroleum. Now before you reach for that bag of chips or before you give your kids those colorful candies, close your eyes and visualize serving yourself or your kids’ petroleum on a platter to eat. If you can’t do that then stop eating it in junk food just because it tastes good. The majority of artificial food colors are highly toxic and they are the major cause of chronic inflammation in our body. Some food manufacturers do use natural food colors like beet extract or beta carotene but most of them use artificial ones because they are cheaper than natural alternatives and they give more vibrant colors.
Even though FDA and EFSA have concluded that these dyes do not pose significant health risks the research and studies have been done on animals and not on humans. Also, some food dyes are considered safe in one country while banned in another.
Here is the list of few artificial colors commonly used:
Red No. 3 (Erythrosine): A cherry-red dye. Used in candy, popsicles, and cake-decorating gels.
Red No. 40 (Allura Red): A dark red dye. Used in sports drinks, candy, condiments, and cereals.
Yellow No. 5 (Tartrazine): A lemon-yellow dye. Used in candy, soft drinks, chips, popcorn, and cereals.
Yellow No. 6 (Sunset Yellow): An orange-yellow dye. Used in candy, sauces, baked goods, and preserved fruits.
Blue No. 1 (Brilliant Blue): A greenish-blue dye. Used in ice cream, canned peas, packaged soups, popsicles, and icings.
Blue No. 2 (Indigo Carmine): A royal blue dye. Used in candy, ice cream, cereal, and snacks.
Artificial food colors are highly toxic and can cause chronic inflammation, allergies, ADHD, and an increased risk of cancer. It is important that you learn to read nutritional labels before you buy any packaged food and do not purchase or consume food that has artificial food colors or artificial flavors or chemical preservatives.