Acesulfame potassium is a zero-calorie sweetener that is added to many sugar-free…
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Blue #1
Blue #1
Blue #1
What is it:
Blue #1, also known as Brilliant Blue FCF, is a synthetic dye derived from petroleum products that give products a greenish-blue color. Blue #1 dye is found in many products including ice cream, blue curacao liqueur, and mouthwash.
Rating:
Concerningly, the amount of blue #1 in a commercial product is often proprietary. Blue #1 can have cytotoxic/genotoxic effects and also has the potential for neurotoxicity. It has been linked to skin irritation and bronchial constriction in rats. Animal studies have also shown that blue #1 inhibits mitochondrial activities and can shut down the mitochondria at high doses.
Blue #1 is also used in hospitals to identify aspiration. In one case study, blue #1 was added to a feeding tube and caused severe side effects such as acidosis and blisters with green fluid. After the patient died, an autopsy was performed where it was noted that her internal organs had a greenish-blue discoloration.
Resources:
- Effects of Blue #1 on human health (review)
- Effects of artificial dyes on mitochondrial function (animal study)
- Blue #1 and patient mortality (case study)
How we rate ingredients
Health is like a bank account, certain ingredients make a deposit into your health bank, meaning they add to
your health. Certain ingredients withdraw from your health bank. We want health promoting ingredients in our diet. To keep things simple, we rate ingredients on a green, yellow, red scale:
Clean
It is naturally occurring in food and has no harmful effects on the body. It is real food. It is health promoting.
Caution
It goes into one or more of the below categories
- It is not naturally occurring in food but doesn’t have data showing it has a harmful effect on the body (additives like Gellan Gum)
- It is naturally occurring but can have some harmful effects on the body (added sugars, oils, gums etc.)
We Avoid
It is known to have a harmful effect on the body (ex. All food colorings, Natural Flavors, MSG, Potassium bromate, aspartame, artificial flavors)
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