Preservative allergy: what can you do?

Many of the products you find in the supermarket have come a long way. Especially if they are imported from other countries or contain ingredients that are highly perishable.

To ensure that the food has a long shelf life, manufacturers use chemical additives. These ensure that the taste and consistency are retained and that no mold forms.

However, not all people can tolerate such additives. Some suffer from an allergy to preservatives . You get a headache, rash or other physical discomfort when you consume it. As with the symptoms of chocolate intolerance, nausea or diarrhea may also occur.

These symptoms can be avoided in the future by learning to deal with your intolerance. This does not mean that you should accept and endure the suffering. It's more about choosing your food consciously.

If you look closely, you will find many foods that do not contain any additives . You may have to go to the supermarket a little more often due to the shorter shelf life.

But your body will thank you for this decision, because chemical additives are often criticized. Although they are not obviously harmful, it is not yet clear whether they can have long-term negative effects on health (Claudia Reimers, 2008: Additives in food - not always harmless. DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1044080).

In this article we explain what preservatives are and what symptoms can occur if they are intolerance. You will also receive tips on how you can avoid consuming additives in food in everyday life. You will see that you feel better once you have successfully changed your diet.

The use of chemical additives has both positive and negative aspects. By extending the shelf life of food and drinks, the products last for a long time.

This prevents even greater food waste than we already have. There are also other options for a longer shelf life, such as pasteurization or pickling in acids. However, these methods mean more effort and higher costs for manufacturers.

However, it should be noted that some chemical additives are suspected of having negative health effects. This is especially true if they are consumed in large quantities. Some people may also be hypersensitive to certain additives, similar to a meat allergy.

For this reason, there are legal regulations specifying which preservatives and in what quantities can be used in the production of food. In addition, they must be listed on the ingredient list so that they are understandable for the consumer.

However, the trend in modern companies like Greenforce is to completely avoid chemical additives.

In rare cases, intolerance can trigger a serious reaction called anaphylaxis , which can lead to a life-threatening condition . If you feel symptoms such as swelling in the face and throat, shortness of breath, drop in blood pressure or if you are in danger of becoming unconscious, you should call an emergency doctor immediately.

You may not immediately realize that you suffer from intolerance. It can take a few hours from consumption to symptoms. In addition, the cause of the symptoms is not always clear. For example, a protein that is in the same food as the preservative can also cause flatulence .

It is therefore best to contact a doctor if you think you cannot tolerate a food. They can carry out various allergy tests on you or ask you to write a food diary.

If you suffer from an allergy to preservatives , you should take measures to relieve the symptoms and avoid allergic reactions in the future. Of course, it makes sense to avoid preservatives as much as possible.

Please pay attention to the ingredient list on food packaging. This way you can ensure that the product does not contain any substances to which you are hypersensitive. By the way, organic products generally do not contain any chemical additives, as no chemical additives are used.

Further tips for your everyday life are these :

• Cook fresh : If you cook yourself, you can only use fresh ingredients and avoid processed foods. You can even make vegan ice cream yourself . If you're often on the go, it's usually difficult to find food without additives. It's better to prepare your own snacks at home and take them with you.
• Inform family and friends : Let your social circle know that you are hypersensitive to preservatives. This way, friends and family can avoid offering you foods you can't tolerate. It can also be helpful to inform your work colleagues.
• Ask in restaurants : If you go out to eat, ask the restaurant whether there are any additives in the food and what alternative dishes are available. Also, try to avoid fast food restaurants. They often use large amounts of preservatives to preserve their food.

An allergy to preservatives means you have to reorient yourself in the supermarket. After a while, however, you will know which products you can eat without any problems and which you should avoid.

Organic food and fresh, regional products are not only healthier and protect the environment, but also usually contain fewer additives, so you will find what you are looking for in these categories.