Can Our Body Systems Process Synthetic Products?

Over the years, some of the food products that we have been consuming have been modified in the process of extending shelf-life, improving flavour, taste, texture, safety, freshness, appearance, etc. Thousands of synthetic ingredients are added to food products daily and we are finding nothing wrong with this.

Synthetic chemicals come into our bodies through trans fats, additives, colourings, dyes, sweeteners, fertilizers etc. During food processing preservatives, additives and colourings are added to food sometimes to replace some important ingredients like fiber, natural flavours and vital nutrients which are lost. Other synthetic ingredients enter the food we consume through packaging or storage materials. By-products of manufacturing find their ways into the atmosphere, soil and water, causing pollution and eventually find a way back to us.

Our body biology and chemistry were designed to break down organic substances, so what happens to the inorganic substances that we consume and inhale? Can our metabolic pathways handle synthetic or man-made ingredients? Can the human body break down or eliminate synthetic food products which were not formed by nature? Are they passed out of the body without being absorbed or are they absorbed or broken down into other products which cause harm to the body on the long run?

Because these are some questions that no one has definite answers for, it is safer to use products in their natural forms and as much as possible, in their raw forms. Natural products nourish the body while artificial ones undermine it on the long run. It is time to look beyond aesthetics and find real food more appealing in their natural and sometimes unattractive state.

Below are some food ingredients that I have question marks for that most of us consider to be normal;

• Trans fats which are actually damaged molecules of fats.
• High fructose corn syrup (HFCS).
• Monosodium glutamate (MSG).
• Preservatives like sodium benzoate, sodium nitrite, butylated hydrozyttoluene, etc.
• Artificial sweeteners like aspartame.
• Artificial colouring agents.

In order to avoid added synthetic ingredients, it is better to do more of your food preparation yourself. We appreciate comments and questions below.  Follow on Twitter @heal2well for updates.