Hey stranger,

Practically Green is the best way to start living a healthier lifestyle. People like you are taking action every day. It’s easy and free to join!

Join Now!

Find out what food in your house has artificial preservatives in it

Why This is Green

Preservatives are used to keep food from going bad, but some preservatives might also have harmful health effects. Talk about Catch-22. Find out which preservatives are in your food, in an effort to take steps to avoid the worst of them. Here’s a little information about the most common food preservatives:

Nitrates maintain color in meats and prevent botulism in canned foods, among other things. They have been linked to cancer (specifically colon and childhood leukemia) in various studies. Some people experience lesser reactions to sodium nitrate like headaches and a flushed face. Nitrates are often synthetic but can be naturally occurring, too.

Sulfur dioxide and sulfites are bleaches and antioxidants used to stop browning. Sulfites are linked to hyperactivity and can cause severe reactions, especially in asthmatics. They can also cause headaches.

BHA and BHT (butylated hydroxyanisole and hydroxytoluene) are used in fats and oils, and are consequently found in many snacks. Common adverse reactions to BHA include hyperactivity, asthma attack, and allergies. Ingesting high quantities can cause stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and dizziness.

Avoiding or limiting your consumption of these food additives will reduce your risk of these side effects. It will also increase your consumption of fresh foods—always a good thing.

Learn More

How To

Read the ingredient lists on the foods in your house.

A few hints: nitrates are often found in processed meats; sulfur dioxide and sulfites show up in alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and dried fruits. BHA and BHT are usually in snacks, cereals, soft drinks, and margarine.