Some of the so-called healthy snack foods and packaged goods you're tossing into your grocery cart each week may be filled with "extras" that can put your health at risk in the long term. 

Everyone knows to keep an eye out for calories, fat and carbs when browsing the supermarket aisles, but are you paying attention to the little known, flavor-enhancing, often lab-generated chemicals that manufacturers are pumping into your food to cut costs and keep you hooked?  Just because it isn't making you fat doesn't mean it's not rotting you from the inside-out.  If you look out for only nine additives the next time you go food shopping, these would be the worst offenders.

1. PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED OIL

This nemesis of heart health is the primary source of trans fat. Manufacturers like it because it reduces costs, increases shelf life and stabilizes flavor, but it's a lose-lose for consumers. Trans fats are twice as difficult for the body to dissolve as saturated fats, and because they boost bad (LDL) cholesterol and have been shown to decrease good (HDL) cholesterol, they're active agents of heart disease, diabetes, nutritional deficiencies and cellular deterioration.  

Note that products that contain partially hydrogenated oils, but have less than 0.5g of trans fat per serving can deceptively carry a “trans-fat free” label.  Also keep in mind that “fully hydrogenated oil” does not contain trans fats.  

The bottom line is that you should avoid foods containing trans fats, including margarine, vegetable shortening, crackers, cookies, baked goods, salad dressings, breads and chips.

2. HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP (HFCS)

Though chemically similar to table sugar (sucrose), this cheaper alternative is a highly processed form of glucose converted into fructose — the type of sugar ordinarily found in fruit.  The case against HFCS ranges from claims that it inhibits leptin — the hormone responsible for signaling your brain that you're full — damages tissue and can contain toxic levels of mercury.  The arguments against HFCS are inconclusive, but one thing is certain:  too much sugar will harm bodily processes in countless ways, including increasing risk for diabetes, obesity and other metabolic disorders.

3. MSG

It goes by many names:  monosodium glutamate, maltodextrin, sodium caseinate, autolyzed yeast, autolyzed vegetable protein, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, yeast extract, and even citric acid.  This leads to a sort of duck-and-cover effect, with more than 40 forms of this processed additive in grocery store aisles.  MSG in all of its forms is considered a neurotoxin because it has been shown to damage nerve cells by overexciting them to the point of cell death.  MSG is also a chemoinducer of obesity, type II diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

The bottom line is that you should avoid the products where it is most often found, such as canned soup, diet beverages, an array of popular fast food, packaged sausages and frankfurters, beef stew, instant soups, salad dressing and some packaged vegetarian foods. 

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4. BHA (BUTYLATED HYDROXYANISOLE) and BHT (BUTYLATED HYDROXYTOLUENE)

Antioxidants are normally good, right?  Not in this case. BHA and BHT are antioxidant preservatives used in cereals, potato chips and chewing gum to keep them from going rancid.   Some laboratory studies have shown BHA to be carcinogenic in rats and and other animals [pdf], and the National Institutes of Health's National Toxicology Program concludes [pdf] that BHA can be "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen."  Even the the Department of Health and Human Services has pegged them as known carcinogens, yet, mysteriously, the FDA allows them.  These additives negatively impact sleep and appetite, and have been associated with liver and kidney damage, hair loss, behavioral problems, cancer, fetal abnormalities and growth retardation.

5. SODIUM NITRATES 

Sodium nitrates are used as colorants and to preserve the shelf life of meats like hot dogs, bacon and sausage.  That all sounds okay until you note that they mix with stomach acids to form nitrosamines, potent cancer-causing cells associated with oral, stomach, brain, esophageal and bladder cancers.  Noticeable side effects include dizziness, headaches, nausea and vomiting.

The bottom line is that if you still want quick deli meats without the drawbacks, you should stick to natural choices like Applegate, which is additive-free.

6. PROPYL GALLATE

This next antioxidant preservative, propyl gallate, is used by food manufacturers to prevent fats and oils from spoiling, and is often used in conjunction with BHA and BHT.  It’s claim to infamy?  It may cause cancer, though the evidence to support this isn't "conclusive."  Watch out for it in vegetable oil, potato sticks, chicken soup base, meat products, chewing gum and cosmetic products. 

7. SODIUM BENZOATE AND BENZOIC ACID

Sodium benzoate and benzoic acid are used in some fruit juices, carbonated drinks and pickles to stymie the growth of microorganisms in acidic foods.  Although they’re naturally occurring and generally affect only people with allergies, there's another problem:  when sodium benzoate is used in beverages also containing ascorbic acid (aka vitamin C), the substances can form small amounts of benzene, a chemical that causes leukemia and other cancers.  Though the benzene amounts are small, you should generally avoid it, especially in acid-containing foods and beverages. 

I swear by this Great Lakes Gelatin supplement with Collagen Hydrolysate and take 2 tablespoons daily.  It aides in your body's detoxification process, regulates your metabolism, improves digestion, strengthens your hair, skin and nails, helps decrease joint pain, and even reduces the appearance of cellulite.  I simply mix it in a glass of water, where it dissolves quickly and easily and is virtually tasteless and odorless.  It may be psychosomatic, but I swear I can feel the difference in my knees and joints if I ever skip a few days.  It's all natural, cold water soluble, kosher beef gelatin derived from grass-fed cows.  

8. POTASSIUM BROMATE 

Wonder bread may not be so wonderful.  Potassium bromate — an additive used in breads (like Wonder bread) and rolls to increase their volume and produce a fine crumb structure — has been banned by every other industrialized country other than the U.S. and Japan.  For the most part, it breaks down into inert bromide, but any leftover bromate that hangs around in the body has been shown to cause cancer in lab animals.  You’ll find potassium bromate in Wonder breads, Gold Medal flours, ShopRite brand breads, and New York Flatbread brand.  Potassium bromate may also be used to produce some types of malted barley, so double-check the labels of your favorite breads and crackers for PB in disguise.  The good news?  There are plenty of other baked goods that eschew potassium bromate in favor of safer alternatives.

9. FOOD COLORINGS

Turns out that following the rainbow is a pretty bad idea, as far as processed foods are concerned. Although some foods are colored with natural substances like beta-carotene and carmine (though even natural substances may not be very appetizing), some 17.8 million pounds of food dyes (many of which are petroleum derived) are consumed in America, according to a 2005 survey by the Feingold Association.  The good news is that 17 of 24 synthetic dyes have been banned from use in American foods.

So what’s wrong with a little color?  Red #3, used in candy, baked goods and desserts, has demonstrated chromosomal damage and thyroid tumors.  Red #40, found in drinks, desserts, candy and pet food, has spurred lymph tumors in lab testing. Yellow #5 (aka tartrazine) and #6 may cause thyroid and kidney tumors, lymphocytic lymphomas and chromosomal damage.

The bottom line is that food dyes are used in pet food, beverages, baked goods, desserts, candy and sausage. Your best bet is to opt for foods that use natural dyes like beta-carotene or annatto, or those that are dye-free. To have a game plan before you hit the grocery store, get the facts on popular brand-name products at labelwatch.com.

Sources:  Men's Fitness, Natural News, livestrong.com, Mayoclinic.org, Mercola.com, Dr. Andrew Weil, Forbes, 
The Huffington Post