| Anything that doesn't occur naturally in a particular | | | | unless you have identified a specific allergy or |
| food is considered an additive. Many of these | | | | sensitivity. Many people believe they are sensitive |
| substances occur naturally in one food but | | | | to MSG, and you can avoid it if you wish. Most |
| become additives when used in the manufacture | | | | additives are used in such small amounts that |
| of another food. You might find sodium propionate | | | | they have no significance in your diet unless you |
| in the list of ingredients in a loaf of bread, but if | | | | consume huge quantities of a single food.You |
| you buy Swiss cheese, you'll be eating ten times | | | | should be more concerned about what's taken out |
| as much sodium propionate. It won't be listed on | | | | of your food than what's added in. "Enriched" |
| the label, because it is a natural component of the | | | | means vitamins, minerals, other nutrients and fiber |
| cheese.Why are additives put in food?They have | | | | were been removed during processing, and what |
| a variety of functions. Additives are used to | | | | is added back may be only a small part of what |
| replace nutrients lost in processing (for example, | | | | was taken away. When fiber is removed, you are |
| all white flour must have thiamine, riboflavin, niacin | | | | the loser. Extracted oils give you lots of calories |
| and folate put in to replace what is lost when the | | | | and little of the nutrients that were in the original |
| wheat germ is removed), or to add nutrients (i.e., | | | | plants.If your diet consists primarily of fruits, |
| vitamins in breakfast cereals). Some additives are | | | | vegetables, whole grains and beans, you don't |
| used as preservatives to retard spoilage, such as | | | | give food processors the chance to remove the |
| BHA and BHT, or antioxidants that keep fat from | | | | good parts that nature provides and you won't |
| turning rancid. Others are used to improve the | | | | need to worry about what's added behind your |
| texture or consistency by making the product | | | | back.Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show |
| thicker, smoother, or more free-flowing, or to | | | | host for 25 years and practicing physician for |
| keep ingredients from separating. Flavorings and | | | | more than 40 years; he is board certified in four |
| colorings are considered additives, whether they | | | | specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen |
| are the relatively benign spices, salt and pepper, | | | | to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at |
| or the ominous-sounding "artificial flavors", dyes | | | | weekly newsletter on fitness, health, and nutrition. |
| and bleaches.Should you try to avoid additives?Not | | | | |