Everyone knows that fast food is not considered healthymost especially for people who have pre-medical conditions like diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases, and more. There are toxic ingredients used by fast food that everyone should know.
There has been much research published worldwide that show the negative effect that can imperil a person's health. However, despite the health warnings, many seem to continue to eat regularly in the different fast-food chains, which are not good practices.
According to a published article in ETNT, quick-serve, mass-produced, cost-effective meals have been linked to increased risk of various health conditions, including weight gain, heart disease, diabetes, and depression.
Jessica Cording, the author of "The Little Book of Game-Changers: 50 Healthy Habits For Managing Stress & Anxiety," said that if a person consumes processed or fast food occasionally, the chance of having a health disease is very low.
Here are some of the toxic ingredients that you need to know that fast-food chains are using:
1. Natural Beef Flavor
Well-known fast-food chains are using this ingredient to enhance and improve the taste of their products. The natural beef flavor contains hydrolyzed wheat and hydrolyzed milk as starting ingredients according to a fast-food chain website.
Back in 2002, a well-known fast-food chain settled a group of lawsuits for labeling their fries as vegetarian even though it is enhanced by natural beef flavor.
2. Potassium Bromate
Simply called bromate, this ingredient is an additive that is used in recipes to enhance the texture and rising of flour. Jessica Cording said, "While it does get 'used up' in the baking process, if the appropriate amount is used when too much is included in a recipe, some can remain in the finished product."
This additive is reportedly found in sandwich buns and pizza doughs in some fast-food chains in the country. However, this ingredient is banned in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. Studies suggest that this is linked to cancerous tumors.
3. Propylene Glycol
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration described this ingredient as a colorless compound that does not occur in nature; propylene glycol is defined as an anti-caking agent.
Cording said, "While documented toxicity is rare, there are potential health risks with high intake of foods that contain it- particularly in individuals with liver and kidney issues- because of how the body processes this compound."
4. Tertiary Butylhydroquinone or TBHQ
This ingredient is used in fried meals and snacks in different fast-food chains and restaurants. This is used to prevent spoilage in oils and fats.
However, research published in the journal Food Bioscience stated that TBHQ could alter the positive effects of good bacteria that support healthy gut flora. Another study published in the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology discovered that this food additive might impair the body's immune response to the flu.
These are just a few of the ingredients that fast-chains are using in their products. Nothing is wrong in eating in a fast-food chain, but you have to remember to control your food intake.
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