What’s Really in Your Food? The Truth About Additives, Emulsifiers, and Chemicals
You want to eat clean, but life is busy. And let’s be real—reading every food label, googling ingredients, and dodging chemicals hidden in your favorite “healthy” foods? It’s exhausting.
I get it. I really do.
Even as a functional medicine practitioner, I still catch myself throwing an “organic” snack into my cart, only to flip it over later and find a mile-long ingredient list with words I can’t pronounce. And here’s the thing: I know better! But we live in a world where food manufacturers prioritize shelf life, texture, and cost over what’s actually best for our health.
So let’s talk about what’s hiding in your food—the additives, emulsifiers, and artificial ingredients that can impact your gut, hormones, and metabolism. I’ll break down what they are, what they do, and whether they belong in your diet (or the trash).
What Are Food Additives and Why Are They Used?
Food additives are chemicals used to preserve, flavor, thicken, or enhance the texture of processed foods. While some have been used for centuries (like salt and vinegar), modern food science has introduced a flood of lab-made ingredients that didn’t exist 50 years ago.
Here’s why they’re in your food:
✔ Emulsifiers (like polysorbate 80) keep your coffee creamer from separating
✔ Preservatives (like BHA and nitrates) extend shelf life
✔ Artificial sweeteners (like aspartame) replace sugar but confuse your metabolism
✔ Color additives (like Red 40) make foods more “fun” but may disrupt hormones
Sounds harmless, right? But the body doesn’t recognize these as food—and that’s where the problems start.
The Problem with Additives: Gut, Hormone & Metabolic Disruptors
Functional medicine teaches us that our toxic burden—the total load of chemicals and stressors our body has to process—affects our energy, mood, metabolism, and ability to detox. The liver is the only organ that truly detoxifies, but when it's overloaded with chemicals from food, it struggles to keep up.
Here’s what research tells us about the impact of some common additives:
🚨 The “Red Light” List (Avoid Completely!)
These additives are known to disrupt gut bacteria, alter hormones, or increase disease risk.
High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS): Linked to insulin resistance, fatty liver, and increased cravings. Found in sodas, sauces, and even bread.
MSG (Monosodium Glutamate): Alters brain chemistry, linked to headaches, metabolic disorders, and possibly cancer. Hides under “yeast extract” or “natural flavoring.”
Artificial Sweeteners (Aspartame, Sucralose, Saccharin): Disrupts gut microbiome, increases insulin resistance, and may alter brain chemistry. Found in diet sodas, sugar-free products, and gum.
Emulsifiers (Polysorbate 80, Carrageenan, Carboxymethylcellulose): Linked to gut inflammation, leaky gut, and metabolic dysfunction. Found in dairy-free milks, salad dressings, and processed foods.
Preservatives (BHA, BHT, Sodium Nitrite): Endocrine disruptors and possible carcinogens. Found in cereals, chips, and processed meats.
Artificial Colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1): Linked to hyperactivity in kids and potential hormonal effects. Found in candy, drinks, and flavored snacks.
⚠ The “Yellow Light” List (Occasionally OK, But Limit)
These additives aren’t as concerning but should be minimized if you’re already dealing with gut issues, hormone imbalances, or fatigue.
Xanthan Gum & Guar Gum: Can cause bloating in sensitive individuals. Found in gluten-free products and dairy-free milks.
Maltodextrin: Causes blood sugar spikes but is fine in small amounts. Found in protein powders and snacks.
Natural Flavors: A mystery term that can include hundreds of hidden chemicals. Found in flavored beverages and packaged snacks.
🟢 The “Green Light” List (Likely Safe in Moderation)
These additives have minimal health concerns for most people.
Lecithin (Sunflower or Soy): Helps mix fat and water. Found in chocolate and supplements.
Citric Acid: A natural preservative derived from citrus. Found in canned foods and beverages.
Acacia Gum: A prebiotic fiber that can actually support gut health. Found in some supplements and natural food products.
How to Avoid These Hidden Ingredients
The easiest way? Eat whole foods. But I know that’s not always practical, so here are some realistic ways to limit harmful additives:
Read Labels: If an ingredient list looks like a chemistry experiment, skip it.
Buy Simple Foods: Choose products with 5 ingredients or fewer.
Prioritize Whole Foods: Focus on fruits, vegetables, clean proteins, and healthy fats.
Watch Out for “Diet” or “Low-Calorie” Labels: These often mean artificial sweeteners or additives.
I am not here to tell you to live a life of restriction. I still eat some of these things! But awareness is key. Every small swap makes a difference in lowering your toxic burden and supporting your gut, hormones, and metabolism.
Instead of stressing over every bite, make gradual changes that support your health without making you miserable. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s intentionality.
And if you’ve been struggling with energy crashes, bloating, stubborn weight, or hormone imbalances… it might not be just you. It might be what’s hiding in your food.
Want to feel better without feeling overwhelmed? Let’s talk.
Aimee Bearden, FNP-C, FMACP
Balance and Bloom Functional Medicine
Owner, Nurse Practitioner
P: 720-600-7206
F: 720-815-0395
References
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