You may think that you’re refueling, topping up on electrolytes, but sport drinks within America contain some harsh chemicals. All the major name brands use brominate vegetable oil in their citrus-flavoured beverages and sport drinks.
Vegetable oil
that doesn’t sound too bad, right? Well, brominated vegetable oil was originally patented as a flame retardant. It is known to increase your risk of cancer and autoimmune diseases, as well as a wide range of other problematic symptoms. The worst part is, it’s known to bioaccumulate in human tissue. Get into the habit of drinking more water and ditch these toxic products.
Cassava (Yuca)
Though not too widely used in the United States, cassava is a woody shrub that is generally found in the Caribbean and South America. When using cassava, it can either be made to be sweet or bitter. The taste, as well as the smell, all depends on the amount of cyanogenic glucosides, which are in fact, extremely poisonous. Most who prepare it like it to be bitter, as it keeps away insects and even animals. If cassava is prepared incorrectly, it can be deadly. Cassava poisoning, due to high levels of Cyanide, is known as Konzo. Cassava poisoning leads to irreversible paralysis.
Interesting fact: Cassava roots are ground into a flour-like substance which is then used to make tapioca. Cassava leaves contain cyanide but if pounded into a paste with flour and left in the shade for 5 hours, the cyanide is broken down.
Bread Containing Brominated Flour
From wraps to bagels, bread crumbs to baked goods, any commercially baked food that contain brominated flour, is essentially toxic. Enriched with potassium bromate, this chemical is supposed to increase elasticity.
Many bread products are already known to increase issues surrounding obesity and diabetes, however, the addition of potassium bromate makes matters worse. It has been linked to decreased nervous system function, thyroid complications, cancer, and kidney damage. Invest in a bread maker, so you know exactly what you’re consuming.
Farmed Salmon
There’s no doubt that salmon is an incredibly healthy source of fat and protein, as well as a number of other Vitamins and minerals. Where your salmon is sourced, however, will make a significant difference regarding its health benefits and in this case, health risks. Not only do farm-raised salmon contain 50 percent less omega-3 fatty acids, they are also potentially exposed to a wide range of toxic chemicals.
It’s been found that farm-raised salmon contain higher levels of mercury, PCBs, and dioxins than wild-caught salmon. To make them appear more pink, they’re fed petrochemicals — not to mention the chemicals that are found within their daily diet. The real worry is that up to 90 percent of these toxins bioaccumulate in the human body and can be passed onto your firstborn child.
Puffer fish
Puffer fish stand to be the second most poisonous vertebrate in the world. Though you won’t find puffer fish in the U.S., many in Korea as well as Japan find some parts of the fish to be delicacies. However, certain organs of the fish, such as the liver, as extremely toxic, and can be deadly. The poison in the fish, known as tetrodotoxin, can cause numbness, high blood pressure, and muscle paralysis, which is what leads to death as the diaphragm muscles become Paralyzed, disabling breathing. Known as fugu when eaten as a meal, many in Asian countries refuse to stop eating the fish.
Interesting fact: Puffer fish has been made illegal to be eaten by the Emperor of Japan.
Meat Tainted with Ractopamine
It’s no secret that conventionally raised meat is packed with chemicals, not to mention the horrendous conditions that some animals are exposed to. You may think you are only eating chemicals relating to their food, but pigs, cattle, and turkeys are all injected with Ractopamine – a drug that was originally used to treat asthma.
It’s a muscle relaxer, that is known to reduce the fat content in meat. When you purchase that meat, as much as 20 percent remains, which you then consume. Unbelievably, since 1998, nearly 2,000 people have been poisoned after eating pigs that were fed this drug. Within dairy herds, it has been shown to cause disability and death. In terms of human health, this drug attacks the cardiovascular system and can cause chromosomal abnormalities.
Macaroni and Cheese
Besides the preservatives that are added to this heavily processed food, boxed macaroni and cheese contain two dangerous food dyes – Yellow 5 and Yellow 6. Considering this food is often fed to children, the research regarding these additives is alarming.
Although behavioral issues aren’t necessarily fatal, they can be extremely detrimental to one’s well-being. These dyes have been linked to a number of serious behavioral issues, including hyperactivity and learning disabilities. Since they’re petroleum-based, they’ve also been associated with cancer.
Fat-Free Snacks
Fat-free snacks are known to promote weight gain, typically due to their high sugar content, but that’s not all you need to worry about. Fat-free potato chips, for instance, often contain Olean or Olestra and is stated in the media to be one of the top 50 worst inventions.
A wide range of side effects have been reported based on the consumption of Olestra, including significant weight gain, intestinal issues, and worst of all, a depletion of fat-soluble vitamins. If your body cannot absorb vitamins A, D, E, and K, you increase your risk of disease. Currently banned in Canada and the UK, the United States continues to distribute this additive.
rBGH Milk and Dairy
There’s no doubt that Americans love dairy products, however, in order to keep up with the demand, rBGH was developed. This artificial hormone mimics natural bovine somatotropin — the hormone which increases the production of milk.
Injected into one out of every six cows, this synthetic hormone causes significant adverse effects. Cows have been shown to suffer from 16 related health conditions, including high rates of mastitis (inflammation of breast tissue). Once consumed by humans, it increases your risk of breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers.
Straight Outta My Kitchen 