Sometimes, it is better not to read food labels of what we consume. It is true that most of the population do not understand all those combinations of words and numbers, of strange technicalities that leave us indifferent. But if we start to investigate a little, things change and we panic. Did you know, for example, that many of our foods contain regurgitated secretions from the digestive system of some animal? Simply terrifying and curious at the same time. If you dare, keep reading and discover those disgusting foods that we usually consume frequently, without even realizing it.
Know these 10 disgusting foods that we usually consume without knowing
1. L-Cysteine
Already in Supercurioso we told you once about the disgusting food in the world. Surely after reading about these topics your appetite will go a little. On this occasion, we want to start our tour of disgusting foods by L-cysteine. It is a very common α-amino acid in many of our foods. It is suitable for the human body and we find it in pizza, croissants, donuts, bread, pastries…
Fine, but what’s the use? L-cysteine is an excellent flavor enhancer and dough conditioner, being used especially in bakery products. But although in some cases it is chemically synthesized in laboratories, Most of this amino acid is extracted from nothing more and nothing less than human hair and duck feathers. Pretty nasty! TRUE?
2. Fish bladders
Another gross food you’d rather not know about is fish bladders. Do you like the taste of rich beers? Well, maybe you won’t be too happy to know that among its various ingredients is the so-called fish tail, which is nothing more than their bladders.
3. The Castoreum
Do you like vanilla ice cream? Or certain foods that taste like raspberries? Well, we have news for you that you are not going to like very much: both include castoreum, which is nothing more than urine and anal secretions of beavers. Kind of unpleasant, right?
4. Natural red dye #4
The next of the disgusting foods, surely you have consumed it more than once. If you like to drink juices or any type of drink with a red tint, read the label very well. If the so-called carmine or natural red dye #4 appears in it, this means that you are literally eating insects. Yes, this coloring it is made with crushed beetles, and has no other function than aesthetics.
5. Fuel preservative
Just saying it sounds pretty off-putting, but maybe it’s about time you knew that you’ve probably already eaten fuel preservative. This is tert-butylhydroquinone, which is listed as TBHQ in the ingredients list. and is used in biodiesel fuels. In what foods is it present? In bubble gum, cheese crackers or chicken nuggets.
6. Carminic acid
The next of the disgusting foods is carminic acid. Think of all those foods you eat that have an attractive red or pink color. Which ones have come to your mind? exact: yogurts, smoothies, sweets, jellies, juices, jams… This color is ideal for making certain foods more appetizing, a widely used dye not only in sweets, but also in sauces, marinades, toppings, pastries…
Okay, but how do you get it? We are sorry to tell you, but Its origin is centered on a very small animal, a phytophagous parasitic insect: the Dactylopius coccusbetter known as mealybugs. But with a peculiarity, only the female cochineals… The little animals are immersed in boiling water, and then dried. Then the abdomen is removed, a part that is full of pure carmine and an intense red. This component is then cooked at very high temperatures to obtain a “kind of jam”.
7. Sheep oily secretions
Another of the disgusting foods that we cannot ignore, are the terrible oily secretions of the sheep. Yes. We eat them. We’ve eaten them many times actually. This ingredient is camouflaged under the name of lanolin. It is included in chewing gum and chewing gum formulas, as it provides softness when chewing.
8. Coal tar
Coal tar has a lot of different applications. It is used as an anticorrosive coating. Also to preserve wood and even to waterproof ceilings. But can you believe that it also makes the list of gross foods? You are right. This ingredient that is considered by the UN as dangerous, It is used to dye certain candies, soft drinks, and food products red.
9. Shellac
Jellies, candies, sandwiches, cakes and many, many types of candies… Shellac. It is used for various things: for example, to polish furniture. It offers a great finish, and tables and nightstands look better. It is also used in the food industry, giving our desserts and sweets a more refined, fresh and appetizing appearance.
But where does it come from, what is its origin? From an insect once more… Kerria Laccabetter known as the lacca worm, originating in South Asia. They live in hives and secrete a type of substance essential to many of our foods. It is thick, sticky and transparent, an essential element to make that cake and gummy bear that we all eat throughout the week seem more appetizing.
10. Synthetic hormones in milk
And we close our tour of the disgusting foods that all or almost all of us have eaten, at least once, with the synthetic hormones in milk. Well, the levels of milk production of the cows is due to the fact that many are stimulated with synthetic hormones. How dangerous about it? They are linked to prostate, breast and colon cancer. If you read the labels, you will notice that these hormones appear under the name of rBST.
It is possible that after reading this you are considering stopping consuming certain foods. But we assure you that after a few days you will forget when you see those appetizing desserts or that delicious pizza on Friday night, how can you abstain? Speaking of weird foods…have you heard of square watermelons?
Without a doubt, these foods make us think of that phrase that we are what we eat. If you are one of those who prefers to bet on a somewhat more natural nutrition, we invite you to enjoy this article on the balanced diet for mental health. And say goodbye to these yucky foods!