The Effects of Additives in Food on Human Growth

Food additives have a direct or indirect impact on human growth, or no effect at all. Additives are monitored by the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition of the Food and Drug Administration.

Lists

• Over 3,000 additives appear on the EAFUS list (Everything Added to Food in the United States) and the GRAS list (Generally Recognized As Safe).

Sugar

• Sugar (glucose) is an additive that directly supports human growth. It is a main source of energy and works with other building blocks of cell development. Too much sugar can cause problems, such as obesity and diabetes. Corn syrup is just another form of sugar. Sugar is added to many foods; for example, it is often among the first three or four additives to the basic cereal grain in packaged cereals.

Food Colorings

• Most serve no purpose except to add color to food, which is a common practice. The FDA banned some of the most dangerous colors years ago, but blue 1 and 2, red 3, green 3 and yellow 6, all of which have been linked to cancers in mice, are still in use. For example, yellow is in beverages, gelatin, candy, and baked goods.

Vitamins

• Vitamins are a favorite additive since the body does not synthesize them but gets them from food. B vitamins are essential to metabolism, red blood cell formation and the synthesis of amino acids; vitamin A helps with tissue formation, and vitamin C helps develop bones, teeth and gums, and strengthens blood vessel walls.

Other Additives

• Some additives may not directly affect human growth but preserve food or make it taste better. This includes flavorings and spices, salt, starches and leavening agents.