生活中需要注意哪些防腐剂?

Preservatives are food additives that are designed to keep food fresh and extend their shelf life by preventing spoilage and the growth of mold and harmful bacteria (via LiveStrong). While food preservatives can be helpful and are sometimes necessary, they may not always be good for our health. Natural preservatives like salt and sugar should be consumed in moderation, but certain artificial preservatives should be more strictly limited.

防腐剂是一种食品添加剂，通过防止变质、霉菌和有害细菌的生长来保持食物新鲜，延长保质期(通过LiveStrong)。虽然食品防腐剂是有益的，有时是必要的，但它们可能并不总是对我们的健康有益。盐和糖等天然防腐剂应适量食用，但某些人工防腐剂应受到更严格的限制。

Although food preservatives are supposed to make food safer and more convenient, not all food additives are equal. For instance, artificial preservatives typically use synthetic chemicals to prevent food spoilage, and while these types of preservatives are generally safe when consumed in small amounts, consuming large quantities of processed foods may pose a risk to your overall health and well-being. Not to mention, artificial preservatives are also more likely to be added to foods that are already less healthy and nutritious to begin with.

虽然人们认为食品防腐剂可以使食品更安全、更方便，但并不是所有的食品添加剂都是一样的。例如，人工防腐剂通常使用合成化学物质来防止食物变质，虽然这类防腐剂在少量食用时通常是安全的，但大量食用加工食品可能会对你的整体健康和幸福构成风险。更不用说，人工防腐剂也更有可能被添加到本来就不那么健康和营养的食物中。

Artificial preservatives like ascorbic acid, aspartame, and taurine are generally considered safe to eat (via Greatist). However, there are certain food additives that can increase your risk of heart disease and cancer. That's why it's important to know which preservatives to look out for. Some preservatives that you should be wary of include nitrates, sulfites, and butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHA/BHT).

人造防腐剂，如抗坏血酸，阿斯巴甜和牛磺酸通常是安全的。然而，有些食物添加剂会增加你患心脏病和癌症的风险。这就是为什么知道哪些防腐剂需要注意的重要性。你应该注意的防腐剂包括硝酸盐、亚硫酸盐、丁基羟基茴香醚和丁基羟基甲苯(BHA/BHT)。

Nitrates are often used to preserve and flavor meat. They're also used to add color to hot dogs and other red meat products. While it may be safe to consume nitrates in tiny amounts, they are linked to certain types of cancer. That's why the American Cancer Society recommends limiting the consumption of nitrates or avoiding them altogether.

硝酸盐常被用来保存和调味肉类。它们也常用来给热狗和其他红肉产品上色。虽然摄入少量的硝酸盐可能是安全的，但它们与某些类型的癌症有关。这就是为什么美国癌症协会建议限制硝酸盐的摄入，或完全避免食用。

Sulfites are another artificial preservative to watch out for. Used to prevent discoloration, sulfites can trigger asthma and other allergies (via LiveStrong). If you are prone to asthma, it might be a good idea to steer clear of food products that include ingredients with the word "sulfite." BHA and BHT should also be avoided or consumed in small quantities. They're used to preserve oils and fats in processed foods, and while the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers BHA and BHT to be generally safe, they are both linked to an increased risk of cancer.

亚硫酸盐是另一种需要注意的人工防腐剂。亚硫酸盐可以防止变色，但会引发哮喘和其他过敏症。如果你易患哮喘，最好避免食用含有“亚硫酸盐”字样的食品。丁基羟基茴香醚和二叔丁基羟基茴香醚(BHA和BHT)也应避免或少量食用。它们被用来保存加工食品中的油脂，尽管美国食品和药物管理局(FDA)认为BHA和BHT一般是安全的，但它们都与癌症风险增加有关。