Health impacts of food additives

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Health impacts of food additives
Introduction
Food additives are quite common these days on the foods that most of the population consumes from the shelves. The food additives are basically chemicals that are added to the foods, to ensure that they preserve the texture, color, flavor and in most of the cases keep the food in question fresh for longer periods of time than normal. In this era of globalization, foods are imported and exported half way across the globe. For most of the foods such as the vegetables and fruits among others, their shelf life is quite short. This therefore brings onboard the idea of having additives to these foods to ensure that they stay fresh long enough to reach the intended market and stay on longer. In the same case, processed foods also undergo addition of these chemicals to ensure that they last longer on the shelves and in most other cases change their taste, color and texture. This paper delves deeper into the impact that these chemicals have when consumed.
Burke, Karena. 'Cocktail Of Chemicals: The Health Impact Of Additives In Processed Foods'. The Conversation.N. p., 2011.Web. 28 Jul. 2014.
In her article, Burke brings out the fact that some of the food additives that are supposed to make the food taste better ma actually harm the body. The article, Burke gives the example of a cake and chocolate. The two are foods that have been known to contain additives that alter the way they taste and their texture along with increased shelf life. According to her augment, most of the people do not look past the taste they have in the mouth after taking bites of the delicious foods. However, some of the additives however much they may make the foods taste better, they have some impacts on the health. To further affirm her argument, she refers to one of the major studies that have been conducted within Australia in 2007, called the Southampton Study. In the study, a number of food additives such as colors and a preservative were found to be unhealthy to children. She also refers to another study conducted by Italians, which came to the conclusion that propylgallate, a preservative, mimic estrogen in the body causing hormonal imbalance. Burke who is a senior lecturer at Central Queensland University, teaching psychology, is well versed with information on human health. Her argument contributes directly to premise of this paper with close reference to the fact that food additive may indeed have negative health impacts.
Huntley, Amy. 'How Food Additives Affect Our Health'. healtheries 2013. Web. 28 Jul. 2014.
In this blog article, Amy starts off by explaining the fact that children do not have well developed digestive tracts. This means that they are quite vulnerable to food additives, given that they do not have the capacity to break down some of the chemicals they eat in their foods. In her argument, the some of the chemicals in the food additives may have quite a diverse impact on the health of the children. Some of the most common health complication that are associated with the chemicals in the food additives include, hives, constipation, eczema, anxiety, poor concentration, skin rashes, cold, flu headaches and tinnitus among many others.In her article, Amy states that some of the chemicals that are have been documented to have negative health impacts in children, include propionate, tartrazine, artificial colors as well as benzoate. According to the article, one of the best ways to determine if the food additives are causing any health issues is through cause and effect. If the behavior changes in the child are noted, it is important to withdraw the suspected for a period of up to 6 weeks and observe the changes. Amy also points out that avoiding the foods with additives may not necessarily solve the problem. The idea is to balance the effects with foods that have natural additives with positive impacts on health. The author is also keen to point out that change in behavior could also be due to natural food compounds other than the additives. Amy is a Naturopath, and her knowledge of alternative medicine is invaluable to the debate. The argument contributes directly to the fact that food additive have negative effects on health.
Haas, Elson M. 'Food Additives And Human Health - Healthychild.'.HealthyChild..N. p., 2008.Web. 28 Jul. 2014.
Haas develops the article from the start point of how the humans came to grow their foods in the past, during the civilization. Most of the foods were grown naturally without contamination. After sometime mankind discovered ways of preserving their food using smoke, pickling and salting among other methods. Today most of the foods are preserved using chemicals and at the same time some of the foods have coloring that is enhanced using chemicals. There are even some foods that are made entirely from chemicals. In the article, Haas deliberates on the fact that some of the chemicals are toxins in nature especially when they are taken for long periods. Haas also lists some 12 key food additives that one should avoid and their health implications. The argument in the article directly contributes to the argument and premise of the paper. Food additives although allowed by governing bodies have health implications.
GRACE Communications Foundation,.'Additives'.N. p., 2014.Web. 28 Jul. 2014.
According to the article, more than 90% of the budget on food by most Americans is spent on processed foods. These are foods that have been altered in certain ways using food additives. The article further affirms the fact that despite allowing the food additives, they still have some effects on the health of the consumers. According to the article Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has listed more than 3000 food additives and has licensed them to be used on consumables. It is also alarming to note that despite the large number additives that have been approved by FDA, there many more that are never approved but are in use on the foods sold and eaten within the market. The article also cites the government accountability office report which indicated that there FDA does not fully ensure the safety of the chemicals. The figure of about 80,000 chemicals that is used on the foods is a confirmation of the same. This argument affirms the debate of the paper that most of the food additives are not healthy.
Abc.net.au,. 'The Hard Facts On Food Additives - Health & Wellbeing'. N. p., 2013.Web. 28 Jul. 2014.
According to the article, while most of the food additives are well intended to preserve the foods and give them their taste and color, they may end up harming the health of those that consume them. The article is keep to point out that, while there are many bodies within Australia and New Zealand to ensure food safety with reference to the food additives, there are chances of over consumption. If one consumes large amount of these additives they are bound to have some health complications. Some of the additives trigger intolerant tendencies in the body, leading to scenarios where the consumers develop allergies. This affirms the central idea of the paper, where food additives do more than add shelf life and change the taste and color of the foods.
Cancer.org,. 'Food Additives, Safety, And Organic Foods'. N. p., 2014.Web. 28 Jul. 2014.
According to this website that is dedicated to the cancer disease, the food additives that most of the people consume may actually increase their chances of developing cancerous tissues. The article also delves in the fact that there are many chemical compounds that find their way in the human diet although that was not the intension. Compound used in hormones, pesticides, antibiotic and herbicides among others are dangerous when consumed. Some of the foods additives as indicated...