We all shop at grocery stores often. Be it to buy food, drinks, fruits, vegetables, dairy, snacks, household products, personal care products and the list goes on.

Well, here’s something I want to ask you guys – Do you ever read the product label before purchasing an item?

If you’ve answered no to this question, then its high time you start looking at product labels before purchasing any items, because there are so many products that contain toxic ingredients that we overlook and use those products.

These toxic ingredients are harmful to health and thus, we need to be mindful when buying anything from shops.

But what are toxic ingredients to avoid and why should we avoid them?

Well, all the answers lie right here in this article, check it out below!

Oils

Canola oil: Contains trans-fat that can lead to health problems like increased inflammation and oxidative stress.

Corn oil, sunflower oil and grapeseed oil: High in omega-6 fatty acids and can be harmful to the body if consumed in excess, leading to bodily inflammation.

Safflower oil: Can slow down the clotting of blood in the body and can increase the risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.

Vegetable oil: High in omega-6 fatty acids and can be refined, this causing bodily inflammation, weight gain and an enhanced risk of developing heart issues.

Thickening Agents

Carrageenan: Can be a cause of gastrointestinal ulcerations, can cause digestive issues and trigger inflammation.

Xanthan gum: When consume in large amounts, can cause bloating, gas, increased bowel movements.

Emulsifiers: Disrupts the balance of the bacteria in the gut and can lead to health problems including chronic bodily inflammation.

Sodium alginate: Leads to gastrointestinal issues like constipation etc., skin irritation and mild allergic reactions.

Guar gum: When consumed in high doses, can cause intestinal obstruction, bloating gas etc.

Soy lecithin: Generally (if consumed in small quantities). While not all people have soy allergies, some people can have soy allergies if consumed in large quantities.

Sugars

Corn syrup: Contains high amounts of fructose which leads to diabetes, liver issues, obesity, risk of heart disease etc.

Aspartame: Can lead to a rare genetic disorder called phenylketonuria, which can prevent vital chemicals from reaching the brain.

Sucralose: Sucralose can increase the risk of heart disease and can cause certain types of cancers and can also lead to weight gain.

Preservatives

BHA: Also called as butylated hydroxyanisole, can lead to the risk of cancer and can also disrupt the endocrine system and interfere with the hormone functioning in the body.

BHT: Also known as butylated hydroxytoluene, can lead to hormone balance issues, liver, kidney and lung toxicity (if consumed in high doses).

Citric acid: Citric acid is high in its acidity levels and can erode the enamel of the teeth, can cause stomach upsets and can also irritate the skin (if applied directly on the skin).

Saccharin: Can lead to cancer and can also disrupt the balance of bacteria in the gut.

Sulfates: Sulfates can strip away the natural oils from the skin and hair, thus causing skin and hair dryness, skin irritation and discomfort. Especially for those with sensitive skin.

Acesulfame: Acesulfame can cause a potential disruption in the bacteria in the gut, can cause weight gain and can also lead to the risk of cancer.

Sulfites: Sulfites can trigger severe allergic reactions in people with respiratory conditions like asthma, wheezing, shortness of breath etc., and can also cause hives, if and when ingested.

Nitrates: When nitrates are consumed in large quantities can convert into nitrosamines in the stomach and these are carcinogens that can increase the risk of developing certain types of cancers, including colorectal cancer.