Fast Food Ingredients to Avoid for Better Health: 5 Harmful Compounds You Should Steer Clear Of
How frequently do your parents caution you, saying, “Avoid eating that; it’s all junk food”? Quite often, right? Indeed, we all have a penchant for indulging in finger-licking fast food readily available in the markets. Laden with numerous sauces, spices, fried items, oils, and more, these fast foods are enticing. However, what many fail to realize is that these fast foods often harbor a multitude of toxic substances or ingredients, contributing to their irresistible taste. It’s not solely the food or vegetables within them that evoke cravings for junk food; rather, it’s the presence of harmful compounds that latch onto your taste buds, enticing you for more. Today, we’ll highlight five such ingredients you should steer clear of.
Nutrition in Unhealthy Food
Deep down, we acknowledge that junk food lacks nutrition and is detrimental to our health, yet we indulge in it. We recently conversed with Ms. Shilpa Singh, a Clinical Nutritionist at Fatima Hospital, Lucknow, to delve into the realm of fast foods. According to her insights, most fast foods are laden with high-calorie fats, cholesterol, sodium, sugar, and carbohydrates, which yield various adverse effects on the body. Consumption of these foods often leads to weight gain, heart disease, diabetes, and even depression. Furthermore, they contain undisclosed ingredients that inflict significant harm on your health, a fact often overlooked.
5 Harmful Components Found in Fast Food
1. Potassium Bromate
This additive is commonly included in many recipes. It resembles flour, so it’s often unnoticed that potassium bromate is being added to the mix. It’s frequently used in baking goods like cakes, breads, and other bakery items. In small quantities, it’s difficult to detect and adds a desirable taste. However, it’s been linked to cancer, with numerous cases of mouth, esophageal, or stomach cancer reported. As a result, many states’ food regulatory agencies have prohibited its use in food products.
2. Propylene Glycol
This compound is colorless and not naturally occurring. It’s banned by food regulatory agencies for use in baking products or other baked goods. However, it’s still widely used in soft drinks, marinades, dressings, seasonings, baked goods, frosting, and frozen dairy products. While these products aren’t considered high-risk, they contain high toxicity levels, leading to potential health complications. Common health issues associated with consuming this compound include kidney problems and food poisoning. Additionally, it’s utilized in the production of cosmetics, antifreeze agents, and non-food items.
3. TBHQ in Food
TBHQ stands for tertiary butylhydroquinone, which is employed to prevent the spoiling of oils and fats. It’s extensively used in fast food items and restaurants to prolong the shelf life of food. Fast food chains often incorporate TBHQ into their products to extend their durability and increase profits. However, this compound is associated with numerous health issues. It can disrupt gut health, weaken immune responses, and diminish the beneficial effects of probiotics in the diet.
4. Utilization of calcium sulfate
This substance, calcium sulfate, serves as another anti-caking agent employed in dough preparation for baked goods. It is a clear additive utilized in rolls, bakery items, and similar products to enhance their texture and appearance, making them fluffier and more appealing. By fortifying the dough, it helps prevent excessive moisture absorption. However, excessive consumption of sulfate in one’s diet can have adverse effects on the digestive system over time. Interestingly, this compound finds application in construction materials like tiles and plaster. Considering the potential repercussions of ingesting this compound in food, it’s worth contemplating its side effects.
5. Phosphate Additives
This substance finds its way into various consumables such as soda, flavored water, packaged meats, processed cheese, and chicken fried dishes, enhancing their flavor. The addition of these additives can indeed make food more appetizing, drawing in more customers. However, despite their culinary appeal, they pose significant risks to health. Excessive consumption of such additives can lead to kidney disorders, bone issues, and negative impacts on heart health. Regularly indulging in beverages and fried foods containing high levels of this substance can result in severe health complications.