“It already seems important to follow the official recommendations issued in several countries, such as France, Brazil, Mexico and Israel, to limit as far as possible the consumption of ultra-processed foods containing additives that are not essential to human health,” says Touvier.
Previous research has found that food containing emulsifiers can also impact our ability to naturally regulate our hunger. In a study published by the journal Cell Metabolism, participants given emulsifier-laden food consumed 500 more calories per day in just two weeks and gained an average of 2.2lb, compared with those who ate whole foods.
For many nutritionists, this illustrates the importance of carefully reading the ingredient lists on many products. “A lot of companies try to divert attention elsewhere,” says Eva Humphries, a Nottingham-based qualified nutritionist. “Brands will add statements like ‘no artificial colours’, which makes you think that it’s healthy, but when you look at the ingredients, there are preservatives, emulsifiers and all these different chemicals.”
While some emulsifiers are indicated by E numbers, this is not always the case. Humphries says that modified starch is one particular hidden emulsifier, while Harley Street registered nutritionist Clarissa Lenherr describes barley malt as another.
“You assume barley is a wheat or grain which is natural and therefore safe,” she says. “But actually, it is an emulsifier that people often don’t recognise.”
However, it should be noted that merely eating a slice of bread will not give you heart disease, nor will a scoop or two of emulsifier-laden ice cream. The BMJ study suggested that high consumption of these emulsifiers in the diet, through a whole range of processed foods, over a long period of time, can increase your risk.
Here are seven foods that contain emulsifiers and the healthier swaps to make.
1. Supermarket bread
Source link
credite