Sulphites in Food Are Harmful, Be Careful
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by: Andy Iron
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Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2011 Time: 12:08 PM
Sulphites in food are harmful to health, be careful
Sulphites are food preservatives that can cause allergies and other health problems but it’s difficult to know the quantity we introduce into the body through our diet because they are in many foods.
In the EU sulphites are identified by codes from E200 to E228. (1).
E200 is the sulphur dioxide that is a gas, its derivatives, in the form of salts are equally harmful because they also release sulphur dioxide, they are:
- E221 Sodium sulphite,
- E222 Sodium hydrogen sulphite,
- E223 Sodium metabisulphite,
- E224 Potassium metabisulphite,
- E225 Potassium sulphite,
- E226 Calcium sulphite,
- E227 Calcium hydrogen sulphite,
- E228 Potassium hydrogen sulphite.
Sometimes they are listed on the food labels with the E number only.
These additives are used extensively by the food industry to protect food from microorganisms and oxidation, in fact, they are also used as antioxidants to prolong the original colour of some food making them to appear more attractive and fresher. Meat and fish industry use them in shellfish such as shrimps to keep their natural pink colour; if not used, the possible alteration of product, would be seen before.
We find them especially in wines, where they occur naturally due to the natural fermentation, but may be added in the form of sulphur dioxide to preserve the wine in various stages of winemaking, we also can find them in dried fruit, in many drinks, fruit juices, beers, meat and fish products, in nuts and many others including pickles, dehydrated mashed potatoes, dressings, breakfast cereals and others.
In general, white wines contain more sulphites than red wines, especially the sweet white wines.
The most common symptoms, that can be felt just a few minutes after the intake of food or beverages containing sulphites are: breathing difficulty, shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing. People with asthma and / or allergic to acetylsalicylic acid or aspirin should be very careful not to have foods with sulphites because they may require immediate emergency treatment, with this individuals and in rare cases sulphites can even be fatal.
In healthy people, but sensitive to these substances, sulphites may cause rash, nausea and chest pain. Out of curiosity, the typical red colour in the face of some people after drinking wine is due to the presence of the sulphites.
The law requires manufacturers to report on the label the words 'contains sulphites' on all foods or beverages to which they were added, but only if their concentration is greater than 10 mg / l.
In the U.S., the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) estimates that at least one individual in a hundred is sulphite-sensitive. The sensitivity can develop at any time of life, do not yet know the minimum threshold necessary to trigger the reaction in susceptible individuals, even because it is different from person to person.
The law that requires to indicate the presence of sulphates on the label is in force since 1987 in the United States and since 2005 in the European Union.
You can avoid sulphites starting today a new easy natural diet, it’s easy and fun, Andy Iron shows you how, get his free report NATURAL FOOD, Healthier Choices
http://www.mynaturalfood.com
Sources:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfite,
Notes: (1) About additives numbering on labels see:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_additive
About the Author
I'm an independent health lover and researcher. I have studied and
investigated every aspect on food additives, preservatives, dyes, etc.
The reason why I deal with these things relates to my past more than 20 years ago when my daughter Silvia, then about 8 years of age, was often ill and did not know why. A doctor suggested us to eliminate from her diet all pre-cooked or ready to eat meals.
With our great surprise we saw improving week after week the
Silvia's health conditions. That is the mainly reason for which I started to deal with food additives, I collected all information on preservatives, dyes, thickeners and so on.
Today I think to know a lot about natural foods and artificial foods, I can safely say that our modern nutrition system is leading us slowly towards very serious diseases.
