E 114 food additive. Nutritional additives in food products and their effect on human health. Health and nutritional supplements

Modern food products have a very appetizing appearance, taste and smell. Today these qualities can be preserved in sealed packaging for up to several years, and all thanks to miracle substances - food additives E. These substances, while improving the presentation, unfortunately, do not improve the quality of the products they contain. The use of food additives E does not bring health benefits, and each of them, even in a hundredth of a percent, is harmful. They are produced for the convenience of the seller and the manufacturer - to increase sales. Each additive causes harm in different quantities based on body weight, but no matter how insignificant it may be, medicine has proven that they tend to accumulate in the body.

It should also be taken into account that some food additives, although poisonous in significant doses, are used in production in quantities that are safe for humans, sufficient, for example, to protect meat products from the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria. Each person reacts individually to each substance, so the country's leading sanitary doctors do not recommend frequently consuming products containing food additives E, especially for young children and children with allergies. It is also recommended for children to use products containing no more than 3 food additives. , here we’ll talk about harmful ones.

Instant noodles usually contain sodium benzoate, which is a strong allergen.

Below is a list of food additives that most often cause allergic reactions, even the mildest ones.

1. Benzoates (E210–219) are a group of food additives E that are used in production to extend the shelf life of any product. They can be found in marmalade, marshmallows, jelly products, confiture, jam, fruit juices, in margarine, canned fish, caviar, and chewing gum. Please note that they may be found in toothpaste and medications.
2. Sulfites (E220–229). They are added to products to preserve color for a long time. They are found in dried fruits, seasonings from dried vegetables, frozen dough, added to fruit juices, marmalade, jam, marshmallows, food products, ketchup and tomato paste.
3. Nitrates and nitrites (E240–259) are found in cheeses, sausages and smoked fish; they are added as preservatives.
4. Antioxidants (E300–E399) are added to vegetable oils, creamy desserts, fatty and fried foods, ice cream, chips and chewing gum to prevent these foods from going rancid.
5. Sorbic acid (E200) is often found in juices, sausages and fish products, in confectionery products, bread, and rolls. Keep in mind that packaging material is often treated with sorbic acid.

On a note! Nutritional supplements can be of natural origin, from plant and animal products. If you have an allergic intolerance to the product itself and the food additive made from it, it can cause an allergic reaction.

For example:

• Dye E160 is obtained from calendula, tropical plants and carrots;
• antioxidant E322 - from sunflower and soybean oil, peanuts, corn or chicken eggs;
• thickeners and stabilizers E410 (locust bean gum), E412–414 (guar gum, tragacanth, gum arabic) - from beans grown in tropical and subtropical latitudes;
• E1101 – from tropical trees, papaya fruits;
• E1400–E1450 is starch itself and its modified forms, which are made from corn, rice, legumes, and wheat;
• E621 – monosodium glutamate, the most common food additive, found in most products, made from wheat.

Numbers of dietary supplements with other side effects

1. Food additives that can provoke dermatitis of any nature: E104, E110, E132, E901–904.
2. Additives prohibited for use by children suffering from bronchial asthma: E102, E107, E124, E155, E210, E214.
3. Additives prohibited for use in the diet of children of any age : E249, E620–623, E627, E631.
4. Additive that may cause thyroid dysfunction: E127.
5. Use with caution in case of kidney and liver diseases : E170–173, E220, E262, E320–322, E510, E518, E967.
6. Capable of triggering a migraine attack: E281–283.
7. Prohibited in the diet of children under 3 years of age: E262, E296, E310–E312, E320, E626–635.
8. Cause disorders of the digestive system:

• nausea: E132, E264,
• stomach disorders: E338–341, E343, E350–354, E363, E365–366,
• intestinal disorders (including flatulence and): E626–635.

Food additives E, prohibited in Russia and Belarus, because their harm to the human body has been proven

Red dyes E103, E106, E111, E121, E123, E126, E128, E130, E181.

Preservatives E216, E217, E240, E924.

Hazardous: E102, E110, E120, E127, E129, E131, E180, E201, E220–224, E242, E270, E400–405, E501, E503.

Very dangerous: E123, E513, E527.

Carcinogens: E123–124, E127, E129, E131, E210–216, E230, E240, E249, E252, E281–283, E330, E952–954. Most of the harmful food additives mentioned in the article also have some carcinogenic properties.

On a note! The list of dangerous and especially dangerous additives provided in the article is prohibited from being used in a number of developed countries. Also in European countries, a large number of additives from the list that cause the listed side effects are prohibited.

Food additives that have not currently received permission for use in Russia (they are at the testing and control stage or have not yet been tested): E127, E154, E173, E180, E388, E389, E424, E512, E537, E557, E912 , E914, E916–E919, E922–926, E929.

To protect your child, buy fresh vegetables, not frozen, and minced meat, not sausages, give natural sweets or prepare confectionery at home yourself. Keep your children healthy!

Recently, people are increasingly using various nutritional supplements. They are a simple and cheap way to improve the color and appearance of the finished dish, as well as enhance its taste and extend its shelf life. The European Community decided to simply call such additives the letter E with a number. The international classification system identified numbers and divided all additives into groups, depending on the principle of action.

Effect on the human body of E supplements from tables with permitted and harmful substances

Many people think that if a product or dish contains additive E, then the product is necessarily harmful. Actually this is not true. Therefore, all elements are divided by the Ministry of Health according to tables into dangerous E additives in products and useful ones. Some elements have a dual effect, while others bring only benefits:

• Firstly, these substances help to increase the shelf life of products, which significantly saves consumers time and money.
• Secondly, they help improve the taste of dishes.

In most cases, the negative effect on the human body is the difficulty of digesting E-substances. The synthetic component of additives damages organs and causes irreparable harm in large quantities.

You can completely avoid using harmful E-additives in products from the tables of permitted and harmful substances. But those who use them in moderation receive much more benefit than those who completely abandon them.

Some E supplements are only harmful when consumed in large quantities. But you should pay special attention to substances called carcinogens. They have a very harmful property - they accumulate in the human body and negatively affect human health, causing problems with well-being at a certain point, and so on.

It should be remembered that any change in products or dishes (modification) increases their potential health hazard. Eating foods that have artificially (synthetically) enhanced taste or color is deceiving your body.

The distribution of E-additives by hazard class was introduced not so long ago, so the official ban on the use of some of them was also introduced recently. However, most manufacturers have not stopped adding these substances to products.

Previously, any product contained a composition that was clear to everyone, including the additives used from group E. Now the name of the additive with a code is not directly indicated on cans, bags or bottles. Instead, manufacturers write on the packages in the composition column foreign names that are incomprehensible to the average person for well-known elements of category E.

Such tricks are used by manufacturers because the official Latin names of the elements are difficult to read and remember. Therefore, when visiting stores, it is best to take with you a phone to write down the name, a phone with a camera, or just a pen and a piece of paper to write down unclear names and check their decoding.

Since recently most people have smartphones with Internet access, you can go online right in the store and check the composition of the product you are purchasing.

Additive groups

All E additives from the tables of permitted and harmful substances are divided into the following groups:

• E100 - E182. This group includes dyes used as food coloring substances.
• E200 - E299. The group includes preservatives that increase the shelf life of products and prepared meals.
• E300 - E399. It contains antioxidants, which, along with preservatives, slow down the oxidation processes in products and protect them from spoilage.
• E400 - E499. The group contains stabilizers that help maintain the consistency of the finished product.
• E500 - E599. Includes substances similar to stabilizers that maintain the structure of dishes and products.
• E600 - E699. The group includes elements that enhance the aroma and taste of products.
• E700 - E899. There are no elements contained here. Numbers are reserved for new items.
• E900 - E999. The group includes anti-flaming agents (defoamers, sweeteners) and other substances.

Preservatives, dyes and stabilizers

The complete table of E-additives, consisting of two parts (allowed and harmful substances), contains elements included in the groups of preservatives and dyes and stabilizers. The need for preservatives is due to the need to preserve products by destroying the bacteria contained in the products.

Even without studying the composition of products or sold ready-made meals, the presence of preservatives can be determined. Long-storable and non-perishable products obtain such properties only by adding preservatives to them. Otherwise, their shelf life would be reduced to a minimum.

In pickled mushrooms, jams, compotes, juices, etc., formaldehyde is most often present (preservative E with number 240). Along with this substance, stabilizers act as antibiotics.

Among the dyes, there are also harmful substances in the table of food E-additives. These include red citrus dye E121 and amaranth dye E123. They are found in non-recommended sweets, carbonated soft drinks and ice cream (colored). These substances belong to the category of prohibited E-additives in the hazard table and can cause a malignant tumor.

Emulsifiers

They include both harmful and beneficial food E-additives from the table of permitted and harmful substances. The most commonly found substances are minerals. These include:

• sodium bicarbonate (soda) E500,
• hydrochloric acid (E507),
• sulfuric acid (E513).

The group of useful E-additives from the table of permitted and harmful substances also includes potassium and sodium nitrates (E250, E252, E251). For example, they return the pink color to minced sausage that has lost its color during processing and prevent stomach bloating when eating cheeses. Substances are also found in sprats, smoked fish and canned herring.

These E-additives from the table of harmful and permitted substances are considered harmful only for people with intestinal diseases, liver diseases, cholecystitis or dysbacteriosis. Once in the body affected by the disease, the substances become toxic and form nitrosamines - potent carcinogens.

Sweeteners

Many people use E supplements from the table below as sweeteners in products. This group includes the following substances:

These elements, being both harmful and beneficial food E-supplements from the table, are useful for people suffering from diabetes, but at the same time harm the liver.

People who have had hepatitis should exclude such supplements from their diet for six months after the illness.

General list of harmful substances

The hazard table for additives E can be presented without indicating the names of the elements.

Particularly harmful or prohibited, as well as particularly dangerous substances (according to information from the Ministry of Health) include the following:

All of the listed substances, for various reasons, are classified as harmful E-additives in the table.

Most Used Healthy Supplements

According to the degree of danger, food E-additives from the table of permitted and harmful substances can be divided into useful, neutral, harmful to humans or prohibited by the Ministry of Health.

There are also supplements of a beneficial-neutral type. These are a number of useful E supplements from the table below that do not harm the human body. However, even these substances are not recommended for use by persons under five years of age.

The useful E supplements from the table include the following substances:

1. Dye E100 (official name - curcumin). The substance is found in sauces, curries (powdered), jams, cooked rice dishes, fish spreads or candied fruits. This element helps reduce the amount of cholesterol in the blood, increases hemoglobin, and helps prevent the development of diabetes, cancer and arthritis. It also has a positive effect on the stomach and intestines (helps normalize microflora, restores the liver at the cellular level, helps in the fight against intestinal infections and ulcers, etc.).
2. Riboflavin (vitamin B2) E101. The vitamin is involved in protein and fat metabolism and redox reactions. It promotes the synthesis of other vitamins in the body, helps maintain the elasticity and youth of the skin, helps the normal formation and development of the fetus and the growth of the child. Riboflavin effectively helps with psycho-emotional tension, depression or stress.
3. Carotene, annatto extract and lycopene (E160a, b, d). These E160 group substances have strong antioxidant properties. They also help preserve and improve vision, help strengthen the immune system and protect against cancer-related diseases. Moreover, these elements are strong allergens.
4. Beetroot betanin (E162). It has a positive effect on the heart and blood vessels, lowers vascular tone and reduces pressure in the arteries, which helps reduce the risk of heart attack. Betanin improves the digestibility of plant and animal proteins, synthesizes choline and stimulates cellular function in the liver. The element does not allow cancer to develop and does not allow tumors to develop from benign to malignant.
5. Calcium carbonate (E170) is a well-known chalk. It affects blood clotting, is involved in muscle contraction, and is the main element in teeth and bones. Moreover, its overdose causes milk-alkali syndrome.
6. Lactic acid (E270). As an element that makes up dairy products, it helps normalize intestinal microflora and promotes carbohydrate absorption.
7. Ascorbic acid (E300) - vitamin C. Few people know that the decoding of food additives E from the table of permitted and harmful substances contains information about the presence of a beneficial vitamin among the “harmful” elements. It helps strengthen the immune system and is a strong antioxidant, which allows the body to be protected from free-type radicals.
8. Tocopherol (E306 - 309) - vitamin E. It helps accelerate skin regeneration, protects the skin from toxins, has a beneficial effect on the heart and blood vessels, thinning the blood and stimulating the activity of red blood cells.
9. Lecithin (E322). Found in caviar, egg whites and milk. The element has a positive effect on the immune system, calms the nervous system, reduces cholesterol levels, improves hematopoiesis and bile composition, and slows down the development of cirrhosis.
10. Acidifier (E363) - succinic acid. Included in soups, desserts, broths and powdered drinks.
11. Agar (E406) is an element of algae composition. It contains vitamin PP, potassium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, iron and iodine in large quantities. It has a gelling effect, which is useful for the confectionery or food industry. The increased iodine content helps stimulate the thyroid gland, removes waste and toxins, and improves intestinal function.
12. Pectin (E440). The element is found in grapes, apples, citrus fruits, and plums. The substance helps remove waste, toxins and heavy metals from the body and helps cleanse the intestines. It also protects the gastric mucosa from damage, relieves pain and heals ulcers, and lowers cholesterol levels. In addition, there is still a small degree of harm from the dietary E-additive from the table. It is a strong allergen.
13. Baking powder (E504) - magnesium carbonate. It includes table salt, cheese, chewing gum.
14. Sweetener (E957) - thaumatin. Contained in dried fruits, ice cream, and sugar-free chewing gum.

Neutral additives

There are many neutral food additives E with a breakdown in the table of permitted and harmful substances.

The action of these substances is as follows:

• E140 - chlorophyll (dye). Promotes green coloring of products. The element is not harmful to health, according to some experts it is useful (helps eliminate toxins, heal wounds and eliminate unpleasant odors from the body)
• E202 - sorbic acid. The substance inhibits the growth of mold in products due to its powerful antimicrobial effect. Used in cheeses, sausages, smoked meats and rye bread. Is safe for health.
• E260 - acetic acid. This E additive from the table is the most common acid regulator. A small dosage is beneficial by breaking down carbohydrates and fats. An increase in concentration above 30% has a negative effect on the E additive from the full table, causing skin and mucous burns. The element is present in sauces, mayonnaise, canned vegetables, meat and fish, and confectionery products.
• E330 - citric acid. It enhances the taste of foods and prepared dishes, regulates acidity and is a preservative. Like other types of acids, it does not cause harm in small doses. In concentrated form, it can cause a burn to the mouth, stomach, esophagus, as well as irritation of the skin and respiratory tract.
• E410, 415, 412 - gum. Present in desserts, ice cream, processed cheeses, canned fruit and vegetables, pates, sauces, flour products as a natural additive. The substance is known for its jelly-like properties and preventing the crystallization of products. The element is safe for the body, and at the same time has a beneficial property - reducing appetite.
• E471 - di- and monoglycerides of acids (fatty). The substances are natural stabilizers and emulsifiers. They are present in pate, mayonnaise, and yogurt. Excessive consumption leads to weight gain.
• E500 - baking soda. Used as a leavening agent for bakery and confectionery products, preventing the formation of lumps and caking of finished products. Does not harm human health.
• E917, E916 - potassium and calcium iodides. Additives that are in the group have not been fully studied. Hypothetically stimulate the functioning of the gland (thyroid), protect against radiation radiation. Taking a large amount causes poisoning.
• E951 - aspartame, E950 - acesulfame potassium, E952 - sodium cyclamate, E957 - thaumatin, E954 - saccharin, E967 - xylitol, E965 - maltitol, E968 - erythritol (sweeteners and sweeteners). Found in carbonated drinks, desserts, candies, chewing gum and some low-calorie foods.

Decoding E-additives from the table (harmful and beneficial) remains a matter of debate. Despite the identification of a group of neutral substances, some still consider them dangerous. But, like any substance, even neutral elements can cause negative consequences when abused.

Dangerous food additives and their effect on the human body

Some substances, despite their harmful properties, are used in the food industry.

According to the danger, food E-additives from the table presented above are divided into the following most well-known elements:

1. E104 - yellow-green quinoline (dye). It is present in sweets, chewing gum, carbonated drinks, groceries, smoked fish, etc. The substance can cause a severe allergic reaction or diseases of the stomach and intestines. It has a special effect on the children's body.
2. E210, E212, E211, E213 - benzoic acid with derivatives. These substances cause severe harm to human health, especially harming children. The elements can cause allergic reactions, the development of cancerous diseases, and nervous overexcitation. Acids can also have a negative effect on the respiratory system and intellectual abilities of a person. Despite this, harmful substances are found in many products. Such products include ketchup, chips, canned meat or vegetables, carbonated drinks, juices, etc. Moreover, these E-additives from the table are not prohibited by the Ministry of Health of many countries.
3. E221, E223, E222, E224, E226, E225, E228, E227 - sulfites. The group of these poorly studied and dangerous food additives includes many quickly prepared dishes (canned vegetables and fruits, instant mashed potatoes, tomato paste, wine, starch and many others). Containers are disinfected with sulfites and all dried fruits are processed. The harmful properties of the substance are that they cause a strong allergic reaction and provoke, by irritating the bronchi, asthma attacks in the bronchi and diseases of the stomach and intestines. If products containing sulfites are prepared improperly, their consumption can be fatal.
4. E239 - urotropine. A special feature of the action is the ability to increase the shelf life of canned caviar and cheeses. The strong carcinogenic effect allows this substance to be classified as harmful to human health. In addition, methenamine is a strong allergen that promotes the development of skin diseases.
5. E250, E252, E251 - nitrates and nitrites. These substances are included in sausage products to give the product a rich pink color. The beneficial effect of nitrates is to protect products from the effects of microbial agents and from oxidation. The elements have no other useful properties. The danger of nitrates and nitrites lies in their strong carcinogenic effect, which causes intestinal and lung cancer to develop. Some people experience an allergic reaction in the form of choking. In addition, the substances affect the heart and vascular system, causing pressure surges in the arteries due to a sharp narrowing and dilation of blood vessels. In the area of ​​nervous activity, these elements cause other actions (headaches, lack of coordination or convulsions).
6. E280, E282, E281, E283 - propionates (preservatives). These substances are present in dairy products, baked goods and various sauces. The negative effect of substances is manifested in the appearance of spasms in the blood vessels of the brain. Excessive consumption contributes to migraines. The elements are prohibited for use by children.
7. E290 - gas (carbon dioxide). Most often present in carbonated drinks. The harmful properties include the ability to wash calcium out of the human body, which is especially harmful for children, as well as causing belching, flatulence, exacerbation of ulcers or gastritis.
8. E510 - ammonium chloride. Improves dough when used as a component of yeast, bread, baked goods, diet food or flour. The negative impact is expressed in harmful effects on the intestines, liver, stomach and intestines.
9. E621 - sodium glutamate. This substance is one of the most famous food additives. It is an important element of seaweed, legumes and soy sauce. It enhances the taste by being part of chips, seasonings, sauces and semi-finished products. A small amount of the supplement is harmless to humans. But its systematic or excessive use contributes to the accumulation and deposition of sodium salts in various organs. This can lead to the development of tachycardia, decreased visual acuity, general weakness, severe headaches, nervous agitation, allergic reactions in the form of itching of the skin and facial hyperemia.

The above list is incomplete. It contains only the most harmful and dangerous additives, which are very often used.

Prohibited additives

Prohibited but frequently used substances include the following:

• E102 - tartrazine yellow. It is used to color ice cream, sweets, carbonated drinks and yoghurts. The element may cause serious allergic-type reactions, migraines or nervous agitation. In most countries, it is prohibited for use and is extremely dangerous to the health of children.
• E121 - red citrus dye. This substance is added to hard candies, carbonated drinks and hard candies. Has strong carcinogenic properties. In most countries around the world it is prohibited for use.
• E123 - amaranth (dark red dye). It is used in all children's favorite jellies, desserts, puddings, ice cream, breakfast cereals, muffins and more. This chemical food additive affects the kidneys and liver, provokes the development of severe allergic reactions, runny nose (chronic) and diseases in the field of oncology.
• E240 - formaldehyde. This substance is a preservative that is present in prepared sausages and meat products, various drinks, desserts, jellies, candies, chewing gum and similar products. It has strong carcinogenic properties, causing allergic reactions, disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system and intoxication in the body.
• E924b, E924a - calcium and potassium bromates. These substances help improve product quality and oxidation of products in the production of bakery products, and are also used as defoamers for carbonated drinks. These substances have strong carcinogenic properties. In most countries around the world, these additives are prohibited by order of the Ministry of Health.

The tables of harmful and beneficial E-additives contain a large number of elements, many of which bring neither benefit nor harm to the human body, affecting only the characteristics of the food product. At the same time, excessive consumption of any, even the most useful substance from the list of E-supplements, can lead to health problems. Therefore, before consuming any products, you must carefully read what they contain. If it contains substances from the category of harmful E-additives, it should be consumed either with caution or not at all.

Have you noticed how much the pace of our lives has accelerated in recent decades? A person constantly lacks time. He is running somewhere, in a hurry. Work takes up most of your life and leaves no free time for family and friends. Moreover, contemporaries even try to buy food ready-made, so as not to have to stand at the stove for a long time. Of course, this step is completely justified. People want to save more time for communication. However, semi-finished products do not have the best effect on health. The quality of fruits that decorate store windows at any time of the year is also controversial. What can I say! Even products of animal origin are considered dangerous nowadays, since many of them contain harmful food additives.

but on the other hand

Why do previously healthy food products pose a real threat to humans in the 21st century? The fact is that more and more manufacturers are using special food additives in their production, which increase the shelf life of food and enhance the taste of the product. We must admit that not all additives are harmful. There are also relatively safe specimens among them. But determining which supplement is safe and which resembles a time bomb is very difficult. Most people don't even pay attention to the ingredients in a product when they pick it up from the supermarket shelf. And it's not a matter of carelessness. It’s just that Russian residents are accustomed to being protected by state food quality control services. But do they always allow only natural products for sale?

How is this situation in other countries? The legislation of different countries each has its own approach to solving this issue. In some states, some harmful additives are completely prohibited, while in others the use of small amounts is allowed. Russia is no exception. There is a huge variety of approved products, the composition of which is simply replete with all kinds of additives. And only a special analysis in the laboratory can determine how harmful they are to health.

About permitted food additives

Should you trust the opinion of experts and eat foods that contain approved food additives? It is possible, but with caution. Because even they can cause significant harm to human health. After all, many of these additives are considered acceptable for use only because the degree of their negative impact on the body has not yet been established. In fact, many approved food additives have the ability to break down into extremely toxic components under certain conditions.

Moreover, decay can occur even under the influence of gastric juice or at elevated human body temperature. It has been proven that many synthetic additives, when in contact with various types of food, form chemical reactions, the consequences of which for humans can be the most unpredictable. Therefore, when buying groceries, double-check that your purchases do not contain harmful food additives.

Let's recognize the enemy by sight

Let's say you learned about the dangers of food additives and firmly decided to exclude such products from your diet. How to recognize among the many bright boxes placed on store shelves which product is of high quality and which will harm the body? Elementary. All additives are designated by the manufacturer on the product packaging with a special letter “E”. This is an international label for dietary supplements. In addition to the letter designation, the presence of additives is also marked with a three-digit digital code, each digit of which determines the purpose of a particular additive.

Look carefully at the digital code of the additive. The unit here indicates the presence of dyes in the product. Two – the presence of preservatives that increase the shelf life of the product. The number three symbolizes the addition of oxidizing agents to the product, preventing it from spoiling. If a product code begins with the number “four”, it indicates that the product has added emulsifiers that support its structure, and a code starting with the number “six” indicates the presence of flavor enhancers in the product.

List of food additives

We invite you to study the list of additives, which divides them into groups depending on their purpose:

• E100 – E 199 - dyes
• E200 – E 299 - preservatives
• E300 – E 399 - antioxidants
• E400 – E 59 - stabilizers and emulsifiers
• E600 – E 699 - flavor and aroma enhancers
• E900 – E 999 - defoamers and sweeteners

The International Health Association of Russia has recognized several types of additives as harmless to humans. These are additives E 200, including sorbic acid, which is usually added to frozen semi-finished products, E 100 - natural dyes made from plant substances, E 300 - ascorbic acid, present in bread, canned fruit and vegetables. In addition, the additives E 326 and E 440 are not harmful to health. E 326 is part of processed cheeses and is a salt of lactic acid, and E 440 is natural dietary fiber, which is most often obtained from beets and apples.

An exception

There are a number of food additives approved in Russia that may be harmful to some people under certain circumstances. Therefore, if you suffer from any chronic disease, we advise you to carefully read the next paragraph. Better yet, rewrite the list of additives that are dangerous for yourself.

• E230, E231, E131, E160b, E132, E210, E311-313, E214, E232, E239 - cause allergic reactions.
• E107, E122-124, E110, E155, E214 - can be harmful to people who are sensitive to aspirin.
• E107, E102, E211-214, E155, E122-124, E221-227 - dangerous for asthmatics.
• E103, E105, E123, E121, E125, E126, E142, E152, E130, E131, E153, E230-233, E210-215, E924a, E924b - lead to the formation of malignant tumors in humans. People prone to cancer are at risk.
• E127 - disrupts the functioning of the thyroid gland.
• E407, E338-341, E461-466, E450-454 - cause digestive upset.
• E220, E171-173, E302, E510, E320-322, E518 - lead to kidney and liver diseases.
• E233 is dangerous for pregnant women, as it affects the development of the fetus.
• E249, E296, E262, E310-312, E514, E320, E620, E623, E621, E626-635 - contraindicated for infants and small children.
• E320-321 - negatively affect blood cholesterol levels.
• E102, E110, E104, E122, E129, E124, E211 - these food additives, according to British doctors, increase the excitability of children, make them impulsive, quick-tempered, and distract children's attention.
• E220-E226 - lead to diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Harmful additives banned in Russia

We've sorted out the permitted food additives. Now let's talk about those “E” additives that are officially prohibited in Russia.

• E 121 - increases the risk of cancer
• E 123; E 124; E 127; E 128 - causes allergic reactions
• E 240; E 2216 - increases the risk of cancer, worsens vision, and increases the risk of many diseases.

In fact, the list of additives prohibited in Russia is much more extensive:

E107, E103, E125, E128, E127, E140, E160D, E153-155, E160F, E173-175, E166, E180, E209, E213-219, E182, E225-228, E237, E230, E230-233, E241, E241, E241, E241, E241, E241, E241, E241, E241, E241, E241, E241, E241, E241, E241, E241, E241, E241, E241, E241, E241, E241, E241, E241, E241, E241, E241, E241, E241, E241, E241, E241, E252, E264, E253, E281-283, E303, E305, E302, E308-314, E318, E317, E323-325, E343-345, E328, E329, E349, E355-357, E350-352, E359, E370, E375, E365-368, E381, E387-390, E384, E399, E408, E403, E409, E419, E418, E429-436, E446, E441-444, E462, E465, E463, E467, E476-480, E474, E482-489, E491-496, E512, E505, E519-523, E538, E541, E535, E537, E542, E554-557, E550, E552, E559, E560, E576, E574, E577, E580, E579, E622- 625, E629, E628, E632-635, E641, E640, E906, E913, E908-911, E916-919, E929, E922-926, E942-946, E959, E957, E1000, E1105, E1001, E1503, E15 21.

Remembering them, of course, is unrealistic. But writing out and carrying a list of supplements with you to the store is not only feasible, but also quite reasonable.

The most dangerous food additives

Everything is relative. The same goes for nutritional supplements. Some of them are allowed for consumption. Some supplements are prohibited, but small amounts of them are relatively safe. And there are harmful food additives that have an extremely negative effect on the human body. It is almost impossible to meet them in Russia, since Russian legislation has banned them. However, we advise you to remember the digital code in order to protect yourself as much as possible from the harmful effects of such food additives:

• E954 - saccharin;
• E953 - isolmate;
• E951 - aspartame.

Why are such additives dangerous? As scientists have found, they affect vision, can cause brain tumors, and also provoke other diseases, some of which are fatal. The above food additives are completely prohibited in food production.

Discussions about how harmful food additives are have not subsided over the past two decades. Moreover, food manufacturers are the loudest in proving the safety of E supplements. This is understandable. The use of additives allows companies to improve the taste of products, increase shelf life and significantly save money during production. They are not afraid of responsibility either. For many major international companies, it is easier to pay fines than to exclude additives from production, since their use is economically profitable.

Are organic products a thing of the past?

We are all used to eating yoghurts with unnaturally bright colors and storing milk for six months without fear that it will go to waste. But this is unnatural. Dairy products tend to sour quickly, and fruit additives do not have an intense taste or smell. All this is the work of the chemical industry. And organic food products are becoming less and less common today. In addition, their cost is so high that the majority of the Russian population is forced to prefer products with preservatives, since they are much cheaper.

When purchasing products in stores, consumers, one way or another, buy various dyes along with them. emulsifiers, synthetic stabilizers, etc. There are currently over a thousand food additives, but only a few dozen of them are considered relatively safe.

Of course, most product manufacturers claim in their advertising campaigns that a particular product is environmentally friendly and healthy. How true are such statements? We advise you to check the words of the manufacturers and carefully study the composition of the selected food products. Do not forget that those who use them risk their health. In addition, the harmful food additives we eat can harm not only us, but also future generations.

We are looking for a way out

Once you have realized the dangers of food additives, you are faced with the question: how to avoid it? This is especially concerning for young mothers whose children are growing up on modern products stuffed with all kinds of preservatives. Meanwhile, you can reduce the risk of poisoning from food additives. What should we do for this?

1. Give preference to home-cooked food. Don't be lazy to cook yourself.
2. Carefully study the ingredients on the label. Carry a list of harmful food additives with you to avoid unhealthy purchases.
3. Avoid buying products that are colored in unnaturally bright colors. They most likely contain a large amount of dyes.
4. The long shelf life of the product also indicates the presence of preservatives in the composition. Therefore, if the packaging says that kefir can be stored in the refrigerator for a whole month, think about it: is there any milk in the fermented milk product at all?
5. Try not to purchase semi-finished products. As a rule, such products contain a large amount of stabilizers and preservatives.

Be healthy!

The most important rule of life in the 21st century is not knowing the list of harmful food additives or being careful when shopping, but the desire to be healthy. A person who is positive will always find a way out of any situation. Will prepare home-cooked meals for his family every day. He will buy a plot of land and begin to grow vegetables himself. Or learn how to ferment kefir, make cottage cheese and sour cream. And if he does allow the presence of food additives in his diet, then only in the form of dietary supplements - useful biologically active additives. There can be a lot of options. The result is the same - you will remain a healthy and happy person only if you want it.

Discussion 17

Similar materials

It's no secret that modern man eats differently than his ancestors. Over the past 100 years, completely new products have become widely available, resulting from the use of the latest technologies in food production. The way food ingredients are stored and transported has changed significantly, and people around the world are now able to regularly consume foods that their grandparents never knew existed.

However, along with positive changes, industrial food production has brought a number of negative aspects into our lives. In an effort to improve consumer qualities (appearance, taste, shelf life, etc.), manufacturers began to include special substances in food products, most of which are not as harmless as they seem. We present to our readers the top 10 most harmful food additives found in common food and cosmetic products.

Artificial sugar substitutes improve the taste of food and reduce its cost. Two of them are especially dangerous: aspartame and acesulfame potassium. The first has a proven carcinogenic effect; with prolonged use, it causes skin lesions and destruction of tooth enamel. In addition, aspartame contains phenylalanine, a substance that has a negative effect on the psyche. Its accumulation in the body is fraught with the development of panic attacks and depression. The use of acesulfame potassium leads to kidney pathologies, including malignant neoplasms.

In food formulations, aspartame appears under the designation E951, and acesulfame potassium - E950 (also Sunett). Both substances are widely used in the manufacture of sweet drinks, confectionery, bread and baked goods. Some drug manufacturers add E950 sweetener to the glaze that coats the tablets.

Source: depositphotos.com

Corn syrup itself is neither synthetic nor particularly harmful, but during the production process it is enriched with enzymes and additional fructose. The result is an additive that is many times more saturated with harmful components than regular sugar. Almost all sodas, drinks and children's treats (gummies, hard candies, etc.) contain corn syrup as one of their main ingredients. With frequent consumption of these products, the body receives a load that it cannot cope with. Blood sugar levels increase excessively. Long-term consumption of corn syrup is fraught with the development of type 2 diabetes, obesity and food addiction.

Source: depositphotos.com

Flavor enhancer. On product packaging it is designated as E621 or MSG. When accumulated in the body, it can cause erosive damage to the digestive organs. However, the main danger of using monosodium glutamate is different: for people who constantly eat food containing this substance, any other food seems bland and tasteless. Thus, glutamate causes addiction to certain types of foods, which, as a rule, are far from the most beneficial for health. Children and adolescents who are not yet able to assess the consequences of their actions and are not inclined to control their eating behavior are at risk.

The E621 additive is actively included in fast food, a variety of chips, crackers and snacks, canned food, sausages, smoked meat and fish, that is, products that you can afford to eat only occasionally and in small quantities. Manufacturers encourage excessive consumption of such food, without caring about the health of consumers.

Source: depositphotos.com

Trans fats

These substances do not make food healthier or tastier, but they significantly reduce the cost of its production. They replace natural animal and vegetable fats, which undoubtedly benefits unscrupulous manufacturers. Eating trans fats contributes to negative changes in the composition of the blood and the accumulation of “bad” cholesterol in it. This increases the risk of developing cardiovascular pathologies, obesity, metabolic disorders (in particular, diabetes), and problems in the reproductive sphere, especially in men.

Most civilized countries have adopted laws requiring consumers to be warned that products contain trans fats, but manufacturers do not always follow them.

Source: depositphotos.com

Natural dyes are isolated from plant materials. They are harmless, but are not always resistant to heat. In addition, vegetable dyes can rarely give a product a very bright color.

The more intense the color of the food you buy, the more likely it is to contain synthetic dyes. They are added to confectionery products, sausages, cheeses, fish delicacies, drinks and many other finished products, and are also used in the production of perfumes and cosmetics.

All food dyes can cause allergic reactions and digestive disorders. Some of these substances affect the central nervous system, which is very dangerous for children - big fans of bright candies, gummies and other attractive sweets. In children, artificial dyes cause increased excitability, impaired ability to concentrate and, as a result, problems with intellectual development.

Source: depositphotos.com

Preservative and emulsifier (E514), widely used by manufacturers of shampoos, rinses and hair conditioners. It provokes allergic reactions (especially skin rashes), severe headaches and difficulty breathing.

Source: depositphotos.com

Preservative (E250), which is added to food products (sausages, meat and fish gastronomy) to fix color and protect against oxidation. Toxic. Poisoning dangerous to human life is caused by a dose of 2 to 6 g.

Once in the body, sodium nitrite enters into chemical reactions, the products of which are strong carcinogens. The additive itself can provoke the development of intestinal and liver pathologies, as well as the appearance of allergic reactions.