Healthy Homes Asia

A simple general rule about additives is to avoid food colourings, phosphates, potassium and sodium nitrites, aspartame and saccharin, carrageen, acesulfame K, and MSG.

Not only are they among the most questionable additives, but they are used primarily in foods of low nutritional value.

Now it's official: artificial colours are harmful. One of the world's most prestigious medical journals has published a study showing they produce 'increase impulsivity, inattentiveness and hyperactivity in young children.'

Even cochineal (E120), a natural colour (red, made from crushed insects - yes it is!), sends 100s of people to the hospital each year. And the vapours of artificial butter flavour when microwaved can obliterate your airways. You might want to steer clear of that lot...

Want to know more? Watch Dr Greger's fascinating 15 minute video quiz below. From the 5,582 English language peer reviewed scientific journals he read last year,  Dr Greger shares some of the key findings he thinks we should know now! Easy watching.

Feeling overwhelmed? What it it were as simple as being aware and choosing differently? Here's how.

• Buy whole, organic, chemical/hormone/antibiotic free food, picked fresh in season and grown close to you as possible
  
• Be aware of the main potentially harmful food additives including those labeled 'wellbeing' or 'all natural'
  
• Take a list of these additives with you when you go shopping to make sure you don’t buy products containing them
  
• Identify companies committed to using only safer, nurturing ingredients and buy only their products, and
  
• Invite your local shops to add more whole, organic, chemical free food to their shelves. In some countries you'll need to take a magnifying glass with you to read the labels!

Would that be easy? Give it a go. See what a difference YOU can make.

Enter your email below and we'll send you our free multi-lingual pocket guides of ingredients to avoid in food, personal care/ beauty/ household products, so you can make the safest choice for you and your family.

These guides will help you identify and avoid over 100 chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects, asthma, hyperactivity, and kidney problems. The guides are A4 and fold to fit easily into a wallet or purse.

English-simplified Chinese (China)
E-CS listed according to English alphabet
E-CS listed according to Chinese order

English-traditional Chinese (Hong Kong/Taiwan)
E-CT listed according to English alphabet
E-CT listed according to Chinese order

English-Korean
E-K listed according to English alphabet
E-K listed according to Korean order

English-Japanese
E-J listed according to English alphabet
E-J listed according to Japanese order