10 food items that are actually not too bad for your health

More often than usual, there is a huge uproar around a few ingredients, which some bloggers stir up to create a panic. Here is a list of 10 ingredients that might not be as detrimental for your health as you think.

Every day we come across some wellness article, which warns against a food ingredient. And by the rate at which this trend is going, we might be practically living off air only! Jokes apart, here is an attempt to clear those misconceptions regarding 10 ingredients that you may include in your diet.

MSG. This taste enhancer ingredient got its bad reputation only after 1968 when a few scientists believed that MSG is responsible for a few symptoms they experienced after consuming Chinese food. However, later when the human studies were conducted MSG failed to cause negative symptoms even in people known to be sensitive to it. Scientists later concluded that a very tiny percentage of the human population is actually sensitive to it.

Artificial flavors. Many food companies try to distract customers by bragging about their use of natural flavors, which in reality will result in a little benefit. Instead, they must focus on improving the quality and quantity of nutrients in their food products. Also, there is hardly any substantial data available to link artificial flavors to dire health issues.

Dairy. You can happily continue to enjoy chemical-free dairy products. It is mostly the brain child of the vegan population and food giants who want to promote their non-dairy food products that turn us skeptical regarding the use of dairy based products.

Artificial sweeteners. There is no data available on human population, which links artificial sweeteners with cancer. So, consuming a diet soda once in a while is far better than the one sweetened with regular sugar.

Carbs. Carbs are considered one of the most feared nutrient, but not all kind of carbs are bad for our health. Whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables are all healthier source of carbs that are also rich in vitamins and minerals.

Coffee. Unless and until you consume too much of it and coffee has started to disrupt your sleep, you can certainly continue to consume it without worrying. However, if you add too much sugar to it then you must try to control its consumption. There is evidence that shows coffee may reduce the risk of liver cancer, type 2 diabetes, heart problems, and Parkinson’s disease. Limit the caffeine intake to 400mg per day to live a long life.

Soy. If consumed in limited amounts, men should not be afraid to consume it as soy milk will neither give them man boobs nor will it feminize their body. For women, there are many studies which associate traditional soy foods (like tofu and soy milk) to protect against endometrial and breast cancer.

Fish. Not all variety of fish is high in neurological problem causing mercury. Fish are also a great source of heart protecting omega-3 fatty acids. Just stay away from the ones with high mercury content and you can resume relishing the seafood yet again. Also, not all farmed fish are harmful and they are rather an eco-friendly choice!

GMOs. Corn, canola, papaya, potato, and soy are one of the most prominent genetically modified organisms in the US. Even though your nutritionist may suggest you to stay clear off GMOs, there is no impressive evidence to show that GMOs have an adverse effect on the health.

Gluten. Gluten is definitely unsafe for consumption by people with celiac disease but for rest of the population, they can safely consume it.