Decoding The Evil In Food
Refined Sugar
What? Refined sugar is used as a sweetener in most products. It is also used as a filler in some products. Sugar in most products helps prolong shelf-life.
How is it made? It is industrially produced from sugarcane or sugar beet through a multistep process.
Why is it evil? The process of refining strips away all the nutrients, refined sugar offers only calories and no health benefits. Consumption of high levels of refined sugar is associated with diabetes, hypertension, obesity, dental cavities, and the risk of ADHD in children.
Where is it used? Refined sugar is commonly used in cookies, cakes, fruits juices, jams, jellies, chocolates, breakfast cereals, carbonated drinks and a lot more.
Invert Syrup
What? It is a light yellow liquid used as a sweetener to make products more moist. It also helps in preventing sugar from crystallising.
How is it made? It is made industrially from table sugar using enzymes/acids.
Why is it evil? Just like refined sugar it provides empty calories and Consumption of high levels is associated with diabetes, hypertension, obesity, dental cavities, and the risk of ADHD in children.
Where is it used? Invert syrup is used mainly in baked products like cookies, cakes, biscuits, candies, fruit & chocolate syrups and also ice-creams.
Liquid Glucose
What? It is a liquid form used as a sweetener and to make products more moist.
How is it made? It is made industrially from starch (usually corn or rice) using enzymes/acids.
Why is it evil? Just like refined sugar it provides empty calories and Consumption of high levels is associated with diabetes, hypertension, obesity, dental cavities, and the risk of ADHD in children.
Where is it used? Liquid glucose is used in cookies, candies, chocolates, energy bars, chocolate syrups and Ice-creams.
Erythritol (INS 968)
What? Erythritol is a sugar alcohol naturally found in some fruits and vegetables.
How is it made? The commercial one used in food products (especially low calorie and sugar free products) is produced by breaking down corn/wheat using enzymes and fermenting it using yeasts.
Why is it evil? It has a laxative (leads to diarrhoea/loose stools) when consumed in higher quantities/regularly. Recent studies also suggest that higher levels of erythritol can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Where is it used? It is commonly used in low sugar/sugar free/keto products. Beverages, cookies, desserts, bakery products, ice-cream.
Food colour - Carmoisine (INS 122)
What? It is a synthetically made colour (powder or liquid) added to food products to get a red or pink colour.
How is it made? It is an artificial colour made industrially from chemicals.
Why is it evil? Consumption of these chemicals can lead to inflammation of the gut, allergic reactions like skin rashes, stomach cramps, nausea, shortness of breath.
Where is it used? Carmoisine gives a red or pink colour to food products like candies, jams, jellies, cookies, ice-creams.
Food colour - Tartrazine (INS 102)
What? It is a synthetically made colour (powder or liquid) added to food products to get a yellowish colour.
How is it made? It is an artificial colour made industrially from chemicals.
Why is it evil? Consumption of these chemicals can lead to inflammation of the gut, allergic reactions like skin rashes, stomach cramps, nausea, shortness of breath, also leads to hyperactive behaviour in kids.
Where is it used? Tartrazine gives yellow colour to food products like candies, jams, jellies, cookies, energy drinks.
Food colour - Caramel (INS 150)
What? Caramel is a dark brown or black liquid or powder that is used as a colouring agent. There are 4 different classes of caramel colour commonly used (150a, 150b, 150c & 150d)
How is it made? It is made by heating carbohydrates (usually sugars) at high temperature along with a few chemicals.
Why is it evil? It has been associated with high blood pressure. Studies have shown that some of the substances produced during the manufacturing process of the colour, are carcinogenic.
Where is it used? It is commonly used to give a brownish dark colour to food products. It is used in carbonated soft drinks, brown bread, demerara sugar, soy sauce, instant soups, and breakfast cereals.
Sodium benzoate (INS 211)
What? It is a white powder and a chemical substance used to prolong the shelf life (prevent the growth of bacteria and molds) and maintain the quality of a food product.
How is it made? It is made from a bunch of chemicals.
Why is it evil? Increased consumption causes health problems such as headaches, migraines, urticaria (hives, skin rashes) and genotoxic effects.
Where is it used? It is used in Fruit Juices, Fizzy drinks, Cakes, Pickles.
Potassium Sorbate (INS 202)
What? It is a white powder and a chemical substance used to prolong the shelf life (prevent the growth of bacteria and molds) and maintain the quality of a food product.
How is it made? It is made from a bunch of chemicals.
Why is it evil? Increased consumption causes health problems such as headaches, migraines, urticaria (hives, skin rashes) and genotoxic effects.
Where is it used? It is used in Cakes, beverages, Jams, Fruit Juices, baked treats.
Citric Acid (INS 330)
What? It is a white powder used as a preservative, flavouring to provide sourness and enhance taste, and acidifying agent.
How is it made? Citric acid is found naturally in fruits llike lemon, lime. But the citric acid used in packaged food products is manufactured by fermenting sugars/starches using a black mold (fungus) and extracting the acid.
Why is it evil? Cause damage to dental cells and can lead to inflammation, stomach cramps, hives/skin rashes in individuals with food sensitivity/intolerances..
Where is it used? It is used in a wide range of products like fruit juices, most beverages, candies, jams, fruit syrups, snacks, instant noodles, Instant soups, chips, and a lot more.
Artificial/Synthetic Flavour
What? It is a synthetic liquid or powder that reproduces the aroma/flavour of natural sources (like spices, herbs, dishes, flowers) when added to food products.
How is it made? It is made with chemicals or a blend of different chemical substances.
Why is it evil? Regular consumption of these flavours can lead to allergic reactions (skin rashes, nausea, shortness of breath) in sensitive individuals.
Where is it used? It is used in Cookies, chocolates, candies, chips, beverages, spreads, sauces, instant soups, milkshakes, energy bars, granola etc.
Guar gum (INS 412)
What? It is a powder used to thicken, suspend and bind ingredients in a product.
How is it made? It is extracted from guar (Indian Cluster bean) plant.
Why is it evil? It can lead to inflammation of the intestines in sensitive individuals (especially in IBD patients).
Where is it used? Ice cream, sauces, cake mixes, cheese spreads, fruit drinks, most of the gluten free products and dressings.
Polysorbate 80 (INS 433)
What? It is a liquid commonly used to emulsify food products.
How is it made? It is an industrially produced chemical. It is used as a food additive, in pharmaceutical products and in cosmetic products.
Why is it evil? Studies have shown that Emulsifiers disturb the microorganisms in the gut causing inflammation and also other metabolic/digestive disorders.
Where is it used? It is commonly used in ice-creams and frozen desserts.
Carboxymethylcellulose - CMC (INS 466)
What? It is a powder commonly used to thicken or emulsify food products.
How is it made? CMC is made from cellulose (from cotton or wood pulp) through a multistep process.
Why is it evil? Studies have shown that Emulsifiers disturb the microorganisms in the gut causing inflammation and also other metabolic/digestive disorders.
here is it used? It is commonly used in plant based milks and ice-creams.
Hydrogenated fat
What? It is a kind of fat commonly used in a lot of snacks and packaged products instead of butter, oil, ghee, cocoa butter.
How is it made? Hydrogenated fats are made by processing (hydrogenating) vegetable oils. This process increases the shelf-life of oils and also makes them solid at room temperature.
Why is it evil? Consumption of hydrogenated fat is associated with a lot of health risks especially Cardiovascular diseases. Trans fat found in some hydrogenated fats increase the LDL (bad cholesterol levels).
Where is it used? It is commonly found in fried snacks, pastries, ice-creams, bakery products, cookies, cakes, spreads.
Corn starch
What? Corn starch is a white powder used as a thickener, in batters, in baked products and gluten free products.
How is it made? It is made by an industrial process involving chemical, biochemical, and mechanical operations to separate pure starch from corn kernels.
Why is it evil? Corn starch is high in calories (refined carbs) and can cause spikes in blood glucose. Consumption of high levels of refined carbohydrates increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, obesity.
Where is it used? It is used in gluten free products, instant soups, seasonings, extruded products, beverage premixes, baked products.
Maltodextrin
What? It is white powder containing refined carbohydrates and used as a filler (provides bulk), thickener and sometimes to improve shelf-life of products.
How is it made? It is industrially produced from starch(corn/wheat), breaking it down using enzymes of acids, followed by purification and drying into a fine powder.
Why is it evil? It is a refined carbohydrate and has a very high glycemic index. It can lead to an increase in blood sugar levels and increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and weight gain.
Where is it used? It is commonly used in Beverage premixes, instant soups, baked products, snacks, desserts, spreads, cookies.
Maida
What? Maida or refined wheat flour is a flour commonly used in baked products and snacks.
How is it made? Wheat flour is refined, it is stripped of the fibre and other nutrients to make maida. Sometimes it also involves a bleaching process to get pure white flour.
Why is it evil? It is a refined carbohydrate and has a very high glycemic index. It can lead to an increase in blood sugar levels and increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, obesity and weight gain.
Where is it used? Maida is commonly used in instant noodles, cookies, breads, cakes, desserts, baked products.
Silicon di oxide (INS 551)
What? It is a fine white powder which usually functions as an anti-caking agent (prevents lumping of fine powders) to maintain free-flowing properties of powdery products, preserve food colour during storage, and carry fragrances or flavours.
How is it made? It is made industrially from chemical substances in a multistep process.
Why is it evil? Studies show that nano sized silicon dioxide particles can cause inflammation in the intestine and gut imbalances.
Where is it used? It is commonly used in powder based products to prevent lumping of the powders. Beverage premixes, soup powders, seasoning and masala, Baking powders.
Glycerol (INS 422)
What? Glycerin or glycerol is a clear liquid that is used to keep food products moist and soft. It also helps with a smooth texture and is used as a sweetener.
How is it made? Glycerin or glycerol is made industrially from fats and oils.
Why is it evil? Like other sugar alcohols, regular consumption or consumption in higher quantities can lead to bloating or diarrhoea.
Where is it used? It is commonly used in packaged cakes, muffins, other baked products, sugar paste/fondant used in cake decoration.
TBHQ tert-Butylhydroquinone (INS 319)
What? It is a white powder and an antioxidant used to prevent rancidity and increase the shelf-life of fats/oils.
How is it made? It is industrially manufactured from a bunch of chemicals.
Why is it evil? Several studies have shown TBHQ to be a potential carcinogen at high doses. It can also lead to several other disorders and inflammation in the body.
Where is it used? Food products such as edible oils, fats, fish, meats, cereals, mayonnaise and fat based spreads.
