Store Application Blog
About Contact

List of Food Additives in Processed Foods: What They Are, Why They’re Used, and How They Affect Your Health

Mar 28, 2025

 By Andrew Wilson

Why Whole Foods Are a Better Choice Than Processed Ones 

Whole foods are ingredients you recognize—like apples, oats, chicken, and brown rice. Processed foods often include a long list of ingredients you’ve never heard of.

Those unfamiliar names are food additives. They’re used to extend shelf life, improve texture, enhance flavor, and preserve appearance. But many come with health risks.

Below is a comprehensive list of common food additives in the U.S., what they do, and how they might affect your health.

Food Additives A–Z 

Acesulfame Potassium (Acesulfame K) 

  • Used for: Artificial sweetener in diet sodas, baked goods
  • Health risks: May disrupt metabolism, linked to insulin resistance

Artificial Colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1, etc.) 

  • Used for: Coloring candy, drinks, cereals
  • Health risks: Linked to hyperactivity in children, possible cancer risk

Aspartame 

  • Used for: Artificial sweetener in sugar-free products
  • Health risks: Headaches, mood disorders, potential neurotoxic effects

BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) 

  • Used for: Preservatives in chips, gum, butter spreads
  • Health risks: Potential carcinogen, endocrine disruptor

Carrageenan 

  • Used for: Thickener in plant milks, deli meats
  • Health risks: Can cause inflammation, digestive issues

Citric Acid 

  • Used for: Preservative, flavor enhancer in beverages and snacks
  • Health risks: Often derived from mold, may trigger inflammatory responses

Corn Syrup (and High-Fructose Corn Syrup) 

  • Used for: Sweetener in sodas, baked goods, sauces
  • Health risks: Linked to obesity, insulin resistance, fatty liver

DATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Mono- and Diglycerides) 

  • Used for: Dough conditioner in breads
  • Health risks: Can contribute to heart inflammation

Disodium Inosinate and Disodium Guanylate 

  • Used for: Flavor enhancers in instant noodles, chips
  • Health risks: May cause headaches, flushing, allergic reactions

Gellan Gum 

  • Used for: Stabilizer in yogurts and juices
  • Health risks: May cause bloating or digestive upset

Guar Gum 

  • Used for: Thickening agent in dairy substitutes and soups
  • Health risks: Large amounts may cause gas or cramps

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) 

  • Used for: Flavor enhancer in savory snacks, soups
  • Health risks: Can trigger headaches, nausea, and sweating in sensitive individuals

Modified Food Starch 

  • Used for: Thickener and stabilizer in sauces, dressings
  • Health risks: May raise blood sugar quickly, depending on source

Nitrates and Nitrites (Sodium Nitrite, Potassium Nitrate) 

  • Used for: Preservatives in deli meats, hot dogs
  • Health risks: Linked to cancer, especially colorectal cancer

Partially Hydrogenated Oils (Trans Fats) 

  • Used for: Increase shelf life in baked goods, margarine
  • Health risks: Raises LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, increases heart disease risk

Polysorbates (Polysorbate 60, 65, 80) 

  • Used for: Emulsifier in ice cream, whipped toppings
  • Health risks: Linked to gut inflammation and metabolic disorders

Potassium Bromate 

  • Used for: Strengthens dough in bread and rolls
  • Health risks: Possible human carcinogen; banned in many countries

Propyl Gallate 

  • Used for: Preservative in meats, soups, and chewing gum
  • Health risks: May affect hormones and has been linked to cancer in animals

Propylene Glycol 

  • Used for: Moisture retention in frostings, salad dressings
  • Health risks: Can cause skin irritation and kidney issues at high levels

Sodium Benzoate 

  • Used for: Preservative in sodas and acidic foods
  • Health risks: When combined with vitamin C, may form benzene—a carcinogen

Sodium Phosphates 

  • Used for: Texture enhancer in meats and processed cheese
  • Health risks: Can affect kidney health and bone density

Sorbitol 

  • Used for: Sugar alcohol in diet foods and sugar-free gum
  • Health risks: Can cause bloating, diarrhea, and cramping

Sucralose (Splenda) 

  • Used for: Artificial sweetener in diet foods and drinks
  • Health risks: May alter gut microbiome and insulin response

Tert-Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) 

  • Used for: Preservative in fast food and frozen meals
  • Health risks: Linked to anxiety, immune disruption, and tumors in lab animals

Titanium Dioxide 

  • Used for: Whitening agent in candy, frosting, and coffee creamer
  • Health risks: May be genotoxic, and is banned in the EU

Xanthan Gum 

  • Used for: Thickener in gluten-free foods and salad dressings
  • Health risks: Can cause gas and bloating in some people

Why Whole Foods Are Better 

When you eat whole foods, you know what you’re putting into your body. You are getting:

  • Nutrients your body recognizes
  • No artificial chemicals or preservatives
  • Less sugar, less salt, fewer calories
  • More fiber, vitamins, and minerals

When you eat processed foods, you take in dozens of additives. Many of them have been linked to poor health outcomes—cancer, obesity, heart disease, and chronic inflammation.

Ask yourself:

  • Do you know what’s in your food?
  • Are you eating to nourish or just to satisfy?

Eat foods with ingredients you can pronounce. Cook more at home. Shop the outer aisles of the grocery store. Choose real over convenient.

Your body knows the difference.

Get the Free Trial to Try Memios

Start Your Free Trial

Categories

All Categories 1 corinthians 13:4-7 16/8 fasting 4-7-8 method a-z food additives acesulfame k acesulfame potassium achieve goals achievement active listening active listening skills active listening techniques ai wellness alkalizing alternate-day fasting american food chemicals analyze patterns anti-aging anti-inflammatory anti-inflammatory diet anti-inflammatory foods antibacterial antioxidant anxiet spikes anxiety anxiety ina digital world anxiety management arthritis artificial colors artificial sweeteners aspartame athletic performance autophagy awareness balanced diet balanced life better boyfriend better sleep bha bht bible explorer bible study biblical principles biblical teachings bile blood circulation blue 1 blue 2 boosted immune system boundaries brain fog brain health brain-enhancing breaking bad habits breastcancer broken relationships brown fat buddhist prayer budgeting budgeting strategies building a strong faith building good habits business planning business strategy butylated hydroxyanisole butylated hydroxytoluene caffeine calm mind calorie burning cancer cancer therapy cancer treatment cancerexercise canola oil cardio cardiomyopathy screening adjustments cardiovascular disease care models career choices career coaching career development career growth career success career support carrageenan cayenne cayenne powder chaga chemotherapy childhood cancer survivorship children’s oncology group (cog) children’s oncology group (cog) long-term follow-up guidelines cholesterol christian christian habits christian leadership christian meditation christian prayer christian purpose christian values christianliving chronic diseases chronic inflammation citric acid coaching cognitive function cognitive reframing cold exposure cold flu cold plunge cold plunging colossians colossians 3:13 communicaiton skills communication community community engagement community service compassionate partner comprehensive long-term care concentration confidence conflict resolution conflict resolution strategies congestion coping mechanisms cordyceps cordyceps militaris corinthians corn syrup cough counseling crisis management curcumin daily meditation daily mindfulness daily planning daily prayer daily prayer journal dailyhabits datem decision making decision-making deep breathing depression detoxification devotional tracking diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides digestion digestive aid digital connections digital curfew digital detox digital health tools digital journaling disagreement disodium guanylate disodium inosinate disrespect disussion dopamine dr. sylvia lee duckabush mushrooms echocardiograms education education support ei eisenhower matrix emotional bonds emotional intelligence emotional intelligence development emotional quotient emotional reactivity emotional regulation emotional regulation strategies emotional stability emotional support emotional triggers emotional wellness emotionalintelligence emotions empathetic leadership empathy empowering survivors endorphins endurance energy energy booster energy-boosting energyboost energymanagement enhance rest enhanced mood entrepreneurship eq ethical decision-making ethical living ethical-driven living exercise routines extracts faith and health faith journey faith networks faith-based communities faith-based decision-making faith-based habits faith-based journaling faith-based learning faith-driven mentors faithandwellness faithbasedliving faithscience family guidance fasting fasting and fitness fasting and mental clarity fasting benefits fasting for longevity fat burn fear fermented foods financial growth financial planning financial stewardship find peace fitness fitness coaching fitness plans fitness routine flu flu prevention focus food additive health effects food additives food colorings food emulsifiers food preservative list food stabilizers food thickeners foregiveness forgiveness fred hutchinson cancer center ganoderma lucidum gellan gum general wellness genetic cancer genetic cancer predisposition screening ginerol ginger ginger lemon shot ginger root ginger shot global survivorship trends glucose glycerin in food goal achievement goal setting goals grace gratefulheart gratitude gratitude exercises gratitude journal gratitude journaling green 3 growth journey growth mindset guar gum guided meditation gut health gut microbiome gut-brain connection habit formation habit forming habit tracking habitformation happiness harmful food additives health and fitness habits health monitoring healthandwellness healthy diet healthy eating healthy fasting habits healthy habits healthy lifestyle healthy skin healthyeating healthyliving heated discussion hericium erinaceus hidden ingredients in food high-fructose corn syrup hindu prayer holistic life optimization holistic support holistic wellness honey hostility how to fast humility hydrogenated oils il-2 immune boosting immune cells immune health immune support immune-based therapy immunity immunotherapy improved circulation improved mood improvement unlimited in-person interactions increased metabolism indigestion inflammation inflammation and mental health inflammation and productivity inflammation and spirituality inflammation causes inflammation cures inflammation supplements influence inner peace inner peach inonotus obliquus insulin sensitivity intelligence-supported major life decisions intelligent bible study intelligent career coaching intelligent progress tracking intelligent reminders intelligent speech analysis intention setting interfaith prayer examples interleukin-2 intermittent fasting interpersonal stress james 1:19 jay harness md jay k harness jay k harness md jewish prayer joint health joint pain joint stiffness journaling journaling apps journaling systems late-onset complications leadership learning opportunities lentinula edodes libido life balance life challenges life decisions life planning life purpose lifelong learning lion's mane liver detoxify liver function liver health long-term aspirations longevity love lung function magnesium major life decisions manage anxiety manage workload marriage marriage guidance md meal planning mediation medicinal mushroom meditation melanoma memios memios wellness memory mental clarity mental health mental health support mental imagery mental resilience mental well-being mental wellness mentalclarity mentalhealth mentalwellness mentorship metabolic health metastatic melanoma mindful eating mindful habits mindful living mindfulliving mindfulness mindfulness practices misunderstanding modified food starch money-related stress mono- and diglycerides monosodium glutamate morning routine motivation motivational content motivational mentors msg multitasking muscle recovery muscle soreness mushroom coffee mushroom extract mushroom tea mushroom tincture mushrooms muslim prayer natural remedies for inflammation nature reviews clinical oncology nature-based activities navigate stress nerve damage neurocognitive impairments neuroscience of gratitude neuroscience of habits nitrates nitrites norepinephrine nurture relationships nutrition nutrition for brain function nutritional guidance omad omega-3 open-mindedness optimal health overcoming failure painmanagement paper journaling partially hydrogenated oils partner pediatric cancer treatment performance anxiety performanceenhancement personal development personal goals personal growth personal progress personal resilience personal values personaldevelopment personalized care personalized fitness plans personalized learning paths personalized medicine ph levels philipians philippians 2:3-4 physical health polysorbate 60 polysorbate 65 polysorbate 80 positive mindset positive psychology positive routines positive work enviornment positivity potassium bromate potassium nitrate potassium nitrite prayer prayer and meditation prayer and mental health prayer benefits prayer for emotional healing prayer journal prayer tracking prebiotics precision medicine premature mortality probiotics problem-solving problem-solving skills processed food ingredients productivity professional goals propyl gallate propylene glycol proverbs proverbs 3:5-6 psychological distress psychology of habits psychosocial support ptsd public speaking purpose driven living purpose-driven living purposeful living purposefulliving quality of life quantity of life radiation raw honey reality fuel recalibrate attention spans red 40 reduce bloating reduce inflammation reduce nausea reduce stress reduce uncertainty reduced anxiety reduced inflamation reduced stress reduces cholesterol reframe reishi relational anxiety relationship building relationship-building relationships relaxation relaxation techniques religious wellness resilence resilience respect reward reward yourself risk-based screening programs schedule management science of prayer screen fatigue scripture secondary cancers seed oil additives seed oil health risks self-affirmations self-awareness self-growth self-improvement self-reflection self-regulation selfimprovement serving others shared decision-making shared wisdom shiitake side affects single-tasking skin health sleep sleep optimization sleep quality sleep tracking sleepandproductivity sleepoptimization smoothie social engagement social skills social well-being sodium benzoate sodium nitrate sodium nitrite sodium phosphates sorbitol sore throat soy lecithin soybean oil specialized survivorship care spiritual discipline spiritual growth spiritual health spiritual mindfulness spiritualgrowth spiritualhealth splenda stamina stress stress management stress management strategies stress reduction stress relief stressrelief success mindset sucralose sugar sunflower oil superfoods supplements support networks supportive partner surrender surveillance for novel therapies surveillance strategies survivorship care survivorship clinics survivorship research targeted therapy tbhq telemedicine tert-butylhydroquinone til time blocking time management time-blocking tinctures titanium dioxide tocopherols tonic toxins trametes versicolor trans fats trust tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte turkey tail turmeric turmertic powder understanding updated vaccination guidelines vaccination guidelines values alignment values-driven decision making vascular leak syndrome vegetable oil vision boards vision mapping visualization visualization and success visualization for career growth visualization for health visualization for success visualization practice visualization techniques vitamin c wealth wealth management weekly wellness plan weight loss fasting well-being wellness wellness communities wellness habits wellnessjourney wellnesstools work-life balance workload workout regimen workplace influence workplace leadership workplace relationships worship xanthan gum yellow 5 yellow 6 yoga