Food additives are chemically composed substances that manufacturers add to foods to enhance flavor. Many food additives such as artificial sweeteners and fats, along with other flavor enhancers, are designed to make food taste better without adding extra fat or calories. However, some people experience unpleasant side effects, including stomach cramping and diarrhea, after consuming certain food additives.
Sweeteners
Many artificial sweeteners, which can be found in prepared beverages and baked goods or alongside the sugar packets in coffee shops, can have a laxative effect for some people. Your intestines can not properly absorb sugar alcohols, including maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol and xylitol. This can lead to diarrhea, especially if you consume large amounts of any of these sugar alcohols. Excessive use of other artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame and polydextrose, can also lead to diarrhea.
Synthetic Fats
Your body does not absorb synthetic fats the way it does naturally occurring fats. Food manufacturers use synthetic fats as food additives to add flavor without extra calories. Olestra is a synthetic fat made from soybean or cottonseed oil that is processed so it is not absorbed by your body. The Center for Science in the Public Interest's website states than 8 grams of olestra can increase your risk of rapid-onset diarrhea.
Flavor Enhancers
Some food additives, such as monosodium glutamate, are used solely to increase the flavor of packaged foods. While some people can tolerate MSG, for others, eating too much could bring on an allergic reaction, which might include stomach cramps and diarrhea. MSG is often found in packaged savory foods, including soup mixes, prepared seasonings and canned broth.
Increased Risk
If you have certain health problems, you may be at higher risk of having a food intolerance that could cause diarrhea. If you have irritable bowel syndrome, asthma or chronic fatigue syndrome and you notice that foods made with chemical additives have a laxative effect, talk to your doctor. She may recommend that you watch your diet and cut back on food additives.
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