Big Food’s Deception, Big Body Care’s Lies, Toxins, Chemicals, & Hidden Damaging Ingredients YOU Should Be Aware of! Ben Katz BSE
Oct 31, 2024
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In this enlightening discussion, Ben Katz, a Proteomics Specialist at UC Irvine, reveals the shocking truths behind everyday products like chocolate and shampoos. He uncovers hidden toxic ingredients and the impact of food engineering on chronic diseases. Katz discusses the caffeine levels in M&Ms and kombucha, emphasizing the importance of transparent labeling for parents. He also highlights the risks of synthetic cooling agents in consumer items, urging listeners to be vigilant about ingredient transparency for healthier choices.
M&Ms surprisingly contain high caffeine levels, comparable to coffee, raising concerns about children's sugar and caffeine intake awareness.
The podcast discusses how food engineering and processed ingredients contribute significantly to the modern chronic disease crisis, prioritizing profit over health.
Manufacturers mislead consumers with vague terms like 'natural flavor', concealing hundreds of chemicals, necessitating clearer labeling regulations for safety.
Deep dives
The Hidden Caffeine in M&Ms
M&Ms contain surprisingly high levels of caffeine, particularly when compared to other chocolate products. The serving size for M&Ms is notably low, which raises questions about their sugar and caffeine content. This has led to concerns, especially regarding children, who may consume these candies in large quantities without realizing the cumulative caffeine intake. Understanding the theobromine to caffeine ratio in these candies reveals that M&Ms can have a caffeine content comparable to coffee, emphasizing the need for awareness in snack choices.
Understanding Food Engineering's Role in Chronic Disease
The podcast highlights the alarming effects of food engineering and its contribution to the chronic disease crisis faced today. The speaker draws attention to how processed foods, while convenient, often prioritize profit over health, leading to the proliferation of unhealthy ingredients. Historical practices in food processing, including the use of certain additives, have been linked to rising health issues in both children and adults. This calls for a critical examination of food industry practices and regulatory standards to ensure consumer safety.
The Deceptive Nature of Food Labels
Promotional terms like 'natural flavor' or 'fragrance' on food labels can mask the presence of hundreds of undisclosed chemicals, often created through industrial processes. The podcast urges consumers to be vigilant when reading ingredient labels, as these classifications allow manufacturers to avoid full transparency regarding what is in their products. For instance, synthetic musks in personal care items often go unlisted under the broad term 'fragrance', which can lead to potential health risks. There is a pressing need for clearer labeling regulations to protect consumer health and safety.
Caffeine in Unexpected Foods
Caffeine can be found in a range of unexpected products, from sausages to kombucha, raising questions about dietary sources of this stimulant. The kombucha market, particularly GT's Synergy Kombucha, shows that a single bottle can contain significant caffeine equivalent to several shots of espresso. This highlights the necessity for consumers to be aware of not only what they drink but also how such beverages could impact their health, particularly for children. Understanding the caffeine content across various foods and drinks is essential for making informed dietary decisions.
The Need for Research on Synthetic Ingredients
Concerns about synthetic ingredients, particularly synthetic cooling agents and artificial musks, have been growing due to their pervasive presence in many products. These agents are often hidden under the guise of 'flavor' or 'fragrance', leading to potential health implications that are not widely understood. The podcast emphasizes the importance of conducting thorough research to understand the long-term effects these substances may have on health, particularly in children. Increased public awareness and scrutiny of such ingredients can foster demand for safer alternatives and more responsible labeling.
What is hidden in your chocolate, our creams, our shampoos, toothpastes and yes even our sausages! The skullduggery hidden in the products we use in our everyday lives is frightening. From M&Ms to kombucha and anything smelly, it takes a chemical detective like Ben Katz to uncover the deceptiveness of modern industry.
Ben Katz is a Proteomics Specialist at UC Irvine, where he focuses on mass spectrometry and protein analysis to advance biomedical research. Ben’s work plays a critical role in understanding disease mechanisms and discovering new therapeutic targets. Outside the lab, Ben is Mr Mass Spec Everything where he shares informative and engaging content about mass spectrometry, making complex scientific concepts accessible to a broader audience, including a focus on foods and the molecules inside of it.
Join us as we explore:
The unknown and often toxic ingredients hidden in family favorites pantry staples.
How Ben’s history of “working for the other side” gave him an inside look at the role food engineering is having on the modern chronic disease crisis.
Think you’re eating chocolate? What if it’s mostly caffeine? What if there’s caffeine in your sausage?
How regulatory approved words on your ingredients like “natural”, “flavor” and “fragrance” can contain tens to hundreds even thousands of chemicals.
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