What Are Artificial Flavors? And Why They’re in Your Food — Eat This Not That

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By Ghuman

Introduction

Artificial flavors are a common ingredient in many of the foods we eat today. They are used to enhance the taste and smell of food, and to make it more appealing to consumers. Artificial flavors are created in a laboratory and are made up of a combination of chemicals, which are designed to mimic the taste and smell of natural flavors. While artificial flavors can be beneficial in some cases, they can also be unhealthy and contain potentially harmful chemicals. In this article, we will discuss what artificial flavors are, why they are used in food, and how to identify them on food labels. We will also provide tips on how to avoid artificial flavors and make healthier food choices.

What Are Artificial Flavors? And Why They’re in Your Food

Artificial flavors are synthetic substances that are added to food to enhance its flavor. They are created in a laboratory and are designed to mimic the taste of natural ingredients. Artificial flavors are used in a variety of products, from candy and soda to processed foods and condiments. While they can be used to make food taste better, they can also be used to mask the taste of inferior ingredients.

The use of artificial flavors has been controversial for many years. Some people argue that they are unhealthy and can lead to health problems. Others argue that they are safe and can be used to make food more enjoyable. So, what are the facts?

What Are Artificial Flavors?

Artificial flavors are created in a laboratory by combining chemicals to create a flavor that is similar to a natural ingredient. These chemicals are usually derived from petroleum or coal tar and are combined with solvents, preservatives, and other additives. The resulting flavor is then added to food products to enhance their flavor.

The FDA regulates the use of artificial flavors in food products. They must be approved by the FDA before they can be used in food products. The FDA also requires that artificial flavors be labeled as such on food products.

Are Artificial Flavors Safe?

The safety of artificial flavors is a controversial topic. Some studies have suggested that they may be linked to health problems such as cancer, allergies, and behavioral issues. However, the FDA has determined that artificial flavors are generally safe for consumption.

It is important to note that artificial flavors are not the same as artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners are synthetic substances that are used to sweeten food products. They are not considered to be artificial flavors.

Why Are Artificial Flavors Used?

Artificial flavors are used in food products for a variety of reasons. They can be used to enhance the flavor of a product, mask the taste of inferior ingredients, or add a unique flavor to a product. They can also be used to reduce the cost of production by replacing more expensive natural ingredients.

It is important to note that artificial flavors are not always used to replace natural ingredients. In some cases, they can be used to enhance the flavor of a product. For example, artificial vanilla flavor can be used to enhance the flavor of ice cream.

Conclusion

Artificial flavors are synthetic substances that are added to food to enhance its flavor. They are created in a laboratory and are designed to mimic the taste of natural ingredients. The FDA regulates the use of artificial flavors in food products and has determined that they are generally safe for consumption. Artificial flavors are used in food products for a variety of reasons, including enhancing the flavor of a product, masking the taste of inferior ingredients, and reducing the cost of production.

Your favorite meals may owe their tempting, scrumptious, and oh-so-satisfying taste to delicious natural sweetness, saltiness, or savoriness. It might also be utterly delectable due to certain seasoning combinations and enhancing herbs. Or, the food you’re eating might contain artificial flavors.

“Artificial flavors are chemical compounds used to make food achieve a certain taste, but it is important to note that all components of our food, whether natural or artificial, are made of chemicals, even water,” says dietitian Laura Burak, founder of GetNaked Nutrition and author of Slim Down with Smoothies.

For more, check out 5 Toxic Food Ingredients That Have Been Linked to Health Issues.

She explains that natural flavors come from natural sources like fruit, while artificial flavors do not. However, both are used in food science to make packaged foods tasty—whether it’s cheesy, buttery, or cinnamony—and chemically, they’re not so different from each other. Some common artificial flavors used to make foods taste sweet are vanilla or fruit, and for savory notes, herbs, butter, or buffalo flavors are used.

artificial sweetener
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When it comes to concerns around artificial flavors, Burak says the panic is unfounded.

“Many ‘health influencers’ now are peddling fear about the use of artificial flavorings in your food. But the fact is no matter how you look at it, your diet in this day and age will be processed” she says. “Even ‘healthy’ and ‘natural’ foods like quinoa undergoes processing to remove the grain from the plant and package it up nicely into a little bag for you to cook at home.”

As for potentially eliminating artificial flavors from your diet, Burak explains that the only ones she’d recommend limiting or even eliminating are artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose (Splenda), which are often used in soda, candy, canned food, baked items, and jams and jellies. There have been concerns in the past regarding the possible connection between artificial sweeteners and illnesses such as cancer. While there is apparently no solid evidence to back this up, and Burak says “they are technically safe to consume,” she also notes she hardly ever sees them helping people move towards their health goals.

“These sweeteners are hundreds of times sweeter than sugar, so they can increase your threshold for that sweet taste you crave and make it harder to wean yourself off of sugar—an addiction I believe is the biggest health issue in our country,” Burak explains. She adds that she’d recommend you go for the real thing.

“A little bit of real sugar is much less sweet and can get your taste buds back to a baseline of tasting food, without that super sweet taste that is masking its true flavor.”

To find out more about what might be in your food, be sure to read 6 Toxic Food Ingredients That Have Been Linked to Cancer.



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