Potassium benzoate is a preservative that you can find in certain foods. Here are 7 common dangers of potassium benzoate in your food.
Consuming harmful substances through our diet is an unknown risk millions of people do every time we eat. These additives have only increased over the years for mere company profit and are most dangerous to growing kids.
It’s very possible you were one of these kids and you could continue the chain by allowing your children to eat the same foods you had.
The build-up of harmful toxins in our bodies, like potassium benzoate, lower our overall by increasing the risk of health complications.
It’s hard to avoid these chemicals, but it’s not impossible. Taking the time to distinguish the good from the bad is beneficial. It’s not overwhelming when you take it one at a time. Today, you can unveil information on potassium benzoate.
What is Potassium Benzoate?
Your favorites foods may be more lethal to your health than you think. Freezers and salting aren’t the only way to prevent food from spoiling quickly. What is potassium benzoate and how does it come into play here? It’s a food representative that stops acidification and fermentation of food. More specifically, the chemical is a known fungistatic.
Potassium benzoate is found primarily in foods like juices, syrups, jams, and pickled products. You can also spot it in medications, and even some cosmetics.
You may not know it, but potassium benzoate is toxic, thus only traces are allowed in foods and products. In the US, it’s limited to 5 parts per billion (ppb). Some states like Florida and California reduced it to 1 ppb.
While it may be deemed as “safe” by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), even these small percentages can be detrimental to the body. There is really no safe exposure level.
What are the Dangers?
Reading food labels is important not only for counting calories and determining the level of nutrients. We need to read it to be aware of potentially dangerous ingredients added that can compromise our health in the long run.
Many food companies add this preservative to extend the life shelf of their products, but it’s of no benefit to you. It’s better to learn these dangers rather than remain in the dark to make the ultimatum to ditch it.
1. It’s Potentially Cancerous
It is common to see potassium benzoate and Vitamin C together to ensure the longevity of a food product. This combination though is bad news, especially when exposed to heat and light. The two are a heightened recipe for inducing more levels of benzene, a known carcinogen that can induce cancer.
Individuals with chronic kidney disease are less likely to maintain normal potassium levels. They should be most careful with the intake of potassium benzoate.
2. Increases Inflammation
Other studies found potassium benzoate can activate inflammatory pathways within the body. The level of inflammation is proportional to the amount a person consumes. Inflammation can trigger more episodes of those who suffer from inflammatory conditions like psoriasis. It also increases the risk of cancer.
3. Likelihood of Obesity
Most people have the wrong assumption that consuming diet soda is better than having the regular. The empty calories may feel rewarding when you want something sweet, but it can still trigger an insulin response. Potassium benzoate and vitamin C are often found as well.
Drinking too many diet sodas can eventually lead to weight gain, decreased insulin sensitivity, and diabetes.
4. Linked with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Potassium benzoate has also been linked to the potential for exacerbating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children. It is also possible for artificial colors and flavors that contain the chemical to make certain kids without ADHD more hyperactive.
5.Higher Oxidative Stress
Yet another cancer risk is increased oxidative stress levels in the body. Potassium benzoate provides this unwanted risk the more you consume it. Oxidative stress is induced by free radical damage to your cells. Cancer is not the only concerning factor here. By harming more of your cells you promote quicker aging and chronic health problems.
6. Development or Worsening of Allergies
Inflammation is connected with histamines, and histamines are also connected with allergies. Histamines are a natural response released by the body during inflammation. While not harmful, certain levels and responses cause allergies in people.
These allergies can range from itching to swelling or seasonal allergies that pop up due to certain environments. Some may find themselves in this situation if they are close to animal fur, flowers, pollen, or dust.
A certain percentage of people may find that they may experience a new development of allergies or experience worsening of an existing one. Itching and swelling are common symptoms that often appear for those who also use cosmetic products that have potassium benzoate.
7. Altered Appetite
Consuming potassium benzoate at any level may also negatively affect your appetite hormone, leptin. Leptin is known as an appetite-suppressing hormone that helps induce satiety and prevent you from overeating when you are full.
Potassium benzoate can lower your leptin levels as much as 50-70% depending on how much you consume. Those who have lower levels of leptin will find they are less satiated and feel a desire to eat more. This altered sense of appetite can also cause weight gain.
Learn What You Eat
Food companies aren’t going to tell you about the harsh chemicals they add in their products to ensure it lasts. They are, however, required to list all the ingredients in their products. It is our job to research these ingredients so we have the knowledge to turn away from the garbage they attempt to sell.
Companies are moved by consumers, and if we buy foods that contain harmful preservatives like potassium benzoate, we are unknowingly telling them we are ok with it.
Even with a genetic predisposition, a majority of health conditions do not always spark out of nowhere. They surface because of certain factors and triggers such as our diet. You can prevent health issues when learning more about the foods you eat.
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