2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Labels placed on food packaging should be a valuable source of information for consumers to protect people from consuming stale food or to inform them about the allergen content of the product. According to the current legislation, the data presented on the packaging must be transparent and easy for the average person.
We don't have to be nutritionists and professors to properly read the trade labels affixed to food cans, packaging and bottles. It is also important to know the nutritional value or energy contained in them in order to be informed about what we can get from a product, which is beneficial for the health and normal functioning of our body.
However, the composition of some foods can be dangerous, both for people on a diet and for people who have eating disorders or other health problems. Mysterious substances of unknown origin are hidden on the labels under various names, letters and numbers. It is good to emphasize some of them, such as yeast extract, glucose-fructose syrup, and hydrogenated fats.
Glucose-fructose syrup
One of the most common substances used as a dietary supplement is glucose-fructose syrup, also known as glucose syrup, fructose, or cornstarch. This is a product derived from corn, an average of 42-55% fructose and 42-53% glucose. It has a significantly higher sugar content than traditional sweetening sugars (about 40 times sweeter). Currently, it is added not only to tempting desserts in the confectionery, but also in cakes, as well as yogurts, dairy desserts and juices.
And if you think that when you buy juice for your child and it is very useful, because the label does not say that it contains sugar, you are extremely mistaken. If there is no sugar, then this syrup is certainly present, which is far from healthy and safe. Numerous studies have shown that prolonged, excessive consumption of the substance can lead to an increase in the concentration of triglycerides in the blood, which in turn leads to hepatic steatosis. Also, you are mistaken, it is wrong to believe that the fructose in these juices is from the fruits contained in them. Be careful and inform yourself.
Yeast extract
Yeast extract, despite its natural-sounding name, is an industrial substitute for monosodium glutamate - a known flavoring. They can be found in foods such as hydrolyzed vegetable protein or in the form of yeast. Its mission is to improve the organoleptic qualities of products, especially meat and mushrooms. Monosodium glutamate has been used in nutrition since the beginning of the last century. Appreciated in Japan and China, it has become one of their most popular ingredients in the region. It is found naturally in algae, fermented soy products and in yeast extract.
Monosodium glutamate is widely used in food, and is used because of its cheaper price. It is present in mixtures of spices, broths, salty snacks, but also in soy products, chips and corn sticks. Monosodium glutamate is also present in foods in which we find in their composition maltodextrin, gelatin, barley malt, whey or soy isolate.
Glutamic acid (naturally occurring) is not harmful to humans and is usually well tolerated by the body. On the other hand, the addition of yeast extract raises controversy. Although it is recognized as a safe substance and admitted to the food market, there are studies confirming the negative effect on the central nervous system and digestive system.
Excessive consumption of hydrolyzed plant protein in the diet can cause diarrhea, nausea or headache. Animal studies have shown that monosodium glutamate can contribute to kidney damage and increase the risk of depression by lowering blood serotonin levels.
Palm oil
Another food component that raises many doubts is palm oil. Extremely widespread in cooking and food production and from it, in addition to making margarine, it is also used for the production of soap, stearin and lubricant.
Frequent consumption of these fats has been shown to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, including atherosclerosis or coronary heart disease. This is due to the influence of trans-lipid profile - reducing the level of HDL cholesterol and increasing the levels of total cholesterol in the blood. The ability to analyze food labels allows us to make the right choice about what to buy and what to consume.
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