Natural Flavors are NOT Natural

Natural Flavors are NOT Natural

“Made with natural flavor” is slapped on countless cereal boxes, bottled beverages and even candy wrappers. Jelly Belly jelly beans: made with natural flavors. La Croix sparkling water: made with natural flavors. Even Girl Scout Cookies make the vague claim. But for all its ubiquitousness, what exactly is natural flavor?
Although the term is meant to imply health and nutrition, the inclusion of natural flavor doesn’t in any way mean that a product is actually good for you. Products that boast natural flavor on their packaging can still be chock full of artificial sweeteners, trans fats, and genetically-modified proteins. Natural flavor is another name for a chemical as long as it was originally found in a naturally occurring source.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defines natural flavor as:

“…The essential oil, oleoresin, essence or extractive, protein hydrolysate, distillate, or any product of roasting, heating or enzymolysis, which contains the flavoring constituents derived from a spice, fruit or fruit juice, vegetable or vegetable juice, edible yeast, herb, bark, bud, root, leaf or similar plant material, meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy products, or fermentation products thereof, whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”

If that definition sounds like it covers anything and everything you are not alone. Food manufacturers take full advantage of the generous FDA natural flavor guidelines at every conceivable opportunity when it comes to marketing products.  

Many of the "chemicals" that make up natural flavors fall under a category called “generally recognized as safe,” or GRAS. An estimated 3,000 chemical food additives are in this category, yet this does not mean that these chemicals have been widely studied and approved by the FDA. Food companies do not need to disclose the ingredients of a natural flavor if all of the ingredients, which can be up to 100 in one flavor, fall into the GRAS category. Can you imagine up to 100 chemicals in one flavor? Read food labels and you will see 'natural flavors' (it’s actually the fourth most common ingredient found in all food) is conveniently nestled at the very end of the list so people think it's harmless but you now know 'natural flavors' is another name for 'up to 100 chemicals' so do your best to avoid it.  

The Fluoride Deception

“WARNING: Keep out of reach of children under 6 years of age. If you accidentally swallow more than used for brushing, seek professional help or contact a poison control center immediately.”

This is the warning on all fluoride toothpastes sold in the United States. The FDA warning is necessary because relatively small doses of fluoride can induce symptoms of acute fluoride toxicity (i.e., poisoning). Early symptoms of fluoride poisoning include gastrointestinal pain, nausea, vomiting, and headaches. Yet fluoride is in our water, purposely put there.

Water fluoridation began in 1945. And even though the FDA has admitted to fluoride toxicity the United States adds fluoride to more than two-thirds of the municipal water supplies reaching nearly 211 million Americans.

As of 2012, more than 67 percent of Americans receive fluoridated water. Of those, more than 11 million people receive fluoride at or above what has been deemed the “optimal” level, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Most likely, your dentist—along with countless government and public health officials—has praised and promoted the use of fluoride, both in toothpaste and drinking water, calling it a “necessary” part of your oral health regimen.

But let’s make this point clear: fluoride is not an essential nutrient needed for your health—dental or otherwise. There is not one single metabolic process in your body that requires fluoride. On the contrary, fluoride is a cumulative poison.

Approximately 98 percent of the fluoride you ingest in water is absorbed into your blood through your gastrointestinal tract. From there, it enters your body’s cellular tissues. On average, about 50 percent of the fluoride you ingest each day gets excreted through your kidneys. The remainder accumulates in your teeth and bones, pineal gland, and other tissues—including your blood vessels, where it can contribute to calcification.

The video below features an interview with Christopher Bryson, author of the book: The Fluoride Deception. Both the book and this interview were published 16 years ago, in 2004. Bryson is an award-winning journalist and former radio producer at the BBC. 

The book is based on nearly a decade’s worth of research, and it reveals the shocking details of how fluoride—a toxic byproduct of the aluminum industry—ended up being added to drinking water as a dental prophylactic.

QUICK FACTS:

97% of western Europe has rejected water fluoridation

Many children now exceed recommended daily fluoride intake from toothpaste alone.

Fluoride is not a nutrient.

36 studies have linked fluoride with reduced IQ in children.

Fluoride causes the thyroid harm. 

Reverse osmosis water filtration is the best way to get rid of fluoride but not convenient for apartments. My next suggestion is Berkey water filters. If you are questioning the quality of your current water you can always bring it in and get it muscle tested at your next appointment. Also make sure your toothpaste is fluoride free as well.  If you have thyroid health concerns definitely make sure you don't drink water or use toothpaste with fluoride in it.