Can food additives cause cancer?
Many people believe that the high incidence of cancer in China is due to food additives. A recent French study found that artificial sweeteners may increase cancer risk. This study has undoubtedly pushed food additives to the forefront.
Artificial sweeteners may sound unfamiliar, but many people may eat them every day.
1. New research finds artificial sweeteners may be associated with cancer risk
France has a A large-scale study of more than 100,000 people found that intake of artificial sweeteners was positively associated with overall cancer risk, and that high intake of aspartame and acesulfame potassium increased the risk of cancer. high, especially at higher risk of breast and obesity-related cancers.
Artificial sweeteners are widely found in “zero-sugar” beverages and foods. The so-called sugar-free refers only to sweet foods that do not contain starch sugars (maltose, fructose and glucose) and sucrose (beet sugar, cane sugar), and the sweetness in sugar-free foods often comes from sweeteners , such as saccharin, sugar alcohols and aspartame.
Second, the question is, can food containing sweeteners be eaten?
Seeing this, maybe many people will shy away from sweeteners. In fact, the above studies on the carcinogenicity of sweeteners are still observational studies and cannot prove Is there a clear causal link between sweeteners and cancer.
Sweeteners can be legally used in food. Currently, the Standards for the Use of Food Additives in China stipulate that ammonium glycyrrhizinate, neotame, sodium cyclamate , Monopotassium and Tripotassium Glycyrrhizinate, Maltitol, D-Mannitol, Lactitol, Maltitol Liquid, Aspartame, Sucralose, etc. can be added as sweeteners in various beverages, cakes, breads, seasonings, etc. in food, biscuits, etc.
Ruan Guangfeng, Director of Science and Technology Department of Kexin Food and Nutrition Information Exchange Center introduced that sweeteners are widely used in processed foods. At present, sweeteners are widely used in China , the European Union and the United States are used in more than 100 countries. In addition, the safety of sweeteners has also been recognized by international food safety agencies, and as long as they can be added according to regulations, they will not cause health hazards.
Third, the high incidence of cancer in China is all to blame for food additives?
In my country, the incidence of cancer is getting higher and higher, and many people think that it is caused by food additives. In this regard, Sun Baoguo, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering explained that many consumers have deep misunderstandings about food additives, which are actually caused by illegal additives. The standard for determining whether food additives will cause harm to human health is the amount used. It is safe not to use excessive amounts of food additives within a reasonable range.
There are more than 2,000 kinds of food additives recognized in my country, involving 23 categories, and almost all processed foods contain food additives more or less. However, food additives usually do not accumulate in our body and can be excreted through metabolism. Therefore, it is safe to use food additives in strict accordance with the state’s “Standards for the Use of Food Additives”, and there is no need for us to change our minds.
Fourth, in addition to sugar-free foods, some foods “beautified” by additives should also be eaten less
< p>Like sugar-free food, many businesses often use the gimmick of “sugar-free, healthier” to attract consumers to buy. In fact, this is a misunderstanding. Many foods that use additives to “beautify” in daily life are not recommended for regular consumption.
1. Children’s milk
Many parents think that children’s milk is good for children’s growth and development. In fact, Most children’s milk is in ordinary milk. Add some additional sugar and other ingredients on the basis of , such as aspartame, sodium citrate, food flavors, xanthan gum and other food additives, and even some are not recommended to be added to children’s food, so it is best to Do not give children milk.
2. Imitation meat and vegetarian dishes
Vegetarian dishes are not necessarily healthy. Imitation meat and vegetarian dishes are vegetarian dishes that are processed with vegetarian ingredients and are very similar to meat dishes. The main raw materials are konjac, soy products, starch, mushroom food and various sauces, etc. In order to have the taste of meat dishes, it is often necessary to add a large amount of monosodium glutamate, salt, vegetable oil, edible flavors, colorants, Sugar, etc., it is easy to increase the risk of fatty liver, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes, etc., and also increase the burden of liver and kidney metabolism.
3. Seasoned nuts
Nuts are a healthy food in many people’s minds. Seasoned nuts such as milk almonds, salt and pepper walnuts, etc., although Flavored nuts taste better, but processed nuts can increase sugar, salt, and other flavorings that prevent chronic disease. In addition, seasoned nuts easily cover up the spoiled and mildewed halal taste, which is a potential food safety hazard.
Of course, it does not mean that these foods with added additives will definitely cause harm to the body, but they are not as healthy as the businesses advertise.
In short, food additives are not a monster, but we should try to choose healthy food when buying food, and pay attention to identifying illegal additives.
References:
[1]”Artificial sweeteners and cancer risk: Results from the NutriNet-Santé population-based cohort study”.plos medicine.2022-03-24
[2] “[Reminder] Are sugar-free foods really “zero sugar”?”. Guangxi Market Supervision. 2021-04-28
[3] “[Recommendation] Sweeteners in beverages Does it really cause cancer?”. Zhejiang Hospital. 2017-01-15
[4] “Sugar substitute ≠ health may be “sweet poison”: eating sugar substitute may increase the risk of cancer”. People Net.2022-03-30