“Preservatives” is a term that gets tossed around frequently when discussing food, but do you know what they really are? Preservatives are essentially any additive that helps keep a food edible for a longer period. In previous centuries, preservatives were mostly salt, such as salted pork or beef, which could last much longer. Preservation of food could also be accomplished using fermentation, which is how kimchi, a Korean dish, was created.
But today, preservatives have taken the form of artificial chemicals that, while extending a food’s shelf life, disrupt how a diet impacts our bodies. Common preservatives look more like creations from a science lab, with names like butylhydroxytoluene, perfluorooctanoic acid, and propyl paraben.
Are There Any Good Preservatives?
Health Effects of Preservatives
While some of these preservatives have been used for years, we still have a lot to learn about their effects on our health. But there is much we do know. A recent study from the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that food preservatives can harm human hormones and promote obesity. The study looked at three different chemicals and found that one in particular, a common preservative, “produced some of the strongest detrimental effects.”
A study from Australian researchers found that sulphites, which are used as a preservative, contribute to chronic skin and respiratory issues. The article concluded by recommending modifi
What Foods Have Preservatives?
The only way to be sure that you are avoiding or reducing food preservatives entirely is to constantly read the labels on your food, and to be educated in all the various names that preservatives go by. However, there are some foods that typically have more preservatives than others. Canned and boxed foods have lots of preservatives, as do processed meats, salad ingredients, and baked goods. Dairy products such as milk, cheese, and sour cream, which are vulnerable to spoilage, are also commonly loaded with the chemicals. Even fresh meat, which you might assume is free of additives, may contain preservatives that protect the appeal of the meat. Juices and soft drinks also contain preservatives as well.
One Beverage with No Preservatives: ORAC Tea
Fortunately, there is a beverage that you can enjoy with absolutely no preservatives. Our tea uses on a short list of all natural ingredients to create a delicious, refreshing taste. Our antioxidant drinks are healthier for your mind and body, giving you a taste you’ll love with no preservatives.
ORAC Beverages, LLC
– Drink well. Live well. Feel well. –