Red dye 40, and Other Harmful Food Dyes in Food

Food dyes, although used in small amounts are still toxic to our health. The popular belief is as long as toxins are used in small amounts, you should be okay. But the dose doesn’t make the poison, as I explain in this article on toxins in our every day personal care products.  The FDA has approved of nine food dyes including red dye 40, and all of them are harmful artificial food dyes.

What Makes Artificial Food Dyes So Harmful?

Food dyes are actually made of coal tar (yeah, disgusting) or petroleum. Furthermore, they often can include toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, aniline, hydroxides, and sulfuric acids. Not only that, but impurities like lead, mercury, and arsenic (extremely dangerous).

A study done at Southampton University in England found a link between artificial food dyes and hyperactivity in children. In fact, most parents of children with ADHD avoid foods with artificial dyes.

An expansive review of numerous studies on the relationship between artificial food dyes and toxicity found that all nine of the food dyes approved by the FDA have health concerns. So let’s go over these nine dyes shall we?

Red #3

This dye can cause cancer as seen in animal studies.

Red #40

This dye is contaminated with benzidine or other carcinogens. It’s can also cause hypersensitivity reactions: exaggerated or inappropriate immune responses (i.e. asthma, sneezing, itchy and watery eyes).

Yellow #5

Like red #40, this dye is also known to be contaminated with benzidine or other carcinogens, and cause hypersensitivity reactions. Researchers have found a correlation between yellow dye and sleep disturbance.

Yellow #6

This dye can also be contaminated with benzidine or other carcinogens, and cause hypersensitivity reactions. As stated above, there is a correlation between yellow dye and sleep disturbance. But it can also cause genotoxicity. Genotoxicity is when DNA is damaged by a chemical or agent that can cause a change in the altered trait or even malignant cancer.

Blue #1

This dye can also cause hypersensitivity reactions.

Conclusion

Artificial food dyes like red dye 40 are pretty harmful, especially for children. It’s important to consider what foods we’re consuming that have these harmful dyes, and find some safer (and tasty) alternatives.

Although these dyes are in small amounts in our food, they are still harmful to our health. Taking a pinch of rat poisoning is still rat poisoning! The dose does NOT make the poison.

Blessings,

M/M

Think Twice Before You Light that Candle|Is My Favorite Candle Really Toxic?

***I may receive affiliate funding from links below. Thank you for your support!***

Is a night of relaxation at home ever complete without lighting your favorite candle? Or what about a romantic dinner with your boo? You’ve gotta have your candles! Candles bring peace and ambiance to any room or setting. But before lighting that candle, and allowing that cinnamon apple candle to send you into bliss, consider that some candles can give you a lot more than a sweet smell.

Candles Produce Soot

When you light that cute cinnamon apple candle, its almost like starting a little factory in your home. Soot is a known carcinogen, as well as causing respiratory and cardiovascular problems. Standard wicks made of stiffener, wire and cotton. Using pure cotton wicks will completely rid the problem of soot. If your candle doesn’t have a cotton wick, trimming the wick, and extinguishing the candle by covering it with a lid after extinguishing it will help prevent soot according to an article at the candleers.com you can see below.

Candle Soot: How To Fix It And Prevent It

Some Candles Emit Dangerous Chemicals

Chemists from the American Chemical Society found that candles made with paraffin wax releases many bad chemicals including formaldehyde, toluene, fragrance, and paraffin. You definitely wouldn’t want these chemicals floating around in your home:

1. Formaldehyde: this chemical can cause damage to the respiratory system, eyes, and is cancer-causing according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

2. Toluene: a chemical typically used in chemicals like paint pigments and solvents. Toluene is known to cause dizziness, headaches, confusion, anxiety and respiratory problems. Long term exposure can cause kidney damage according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

3. Fragrance: a chemical linked to a multitude of health effects including cancer, reproductive system problems, allergies, and sensitivities.

4. Paraffin: a chemical that most candles are made of (i.e Yankee Candle Co, Bath and Body Works, etc.). But paraffin comes with a whole host of health problems including: cancer, chiefly breast cancer. A study in Long Island, NY found that women exposed to paraffin had a 50% greater risk of breast cancer. check out the link below.

https://academic.oup.com/carcin/article/38/7/691/3847626

Luckily, there are other alternatives to those lovely Yankee Candles or the Bath and Body Works Candles you can enjoy.

Other Wax Candles

Soy candles and Beeswax candles like the ones listed below are 100% paraffin and toxin free and with essential oils. Soy candles also produce a strong scent like paraffin wax. So you can enjoy the scent of a pine forest while reaping the benefits of essential oils! Not only that, but some of the candles listed below have cotton wicks so they are soot-free!

Diffusers

Diffusers are another great option! They’re pretty easy to use and versatile. So you can have the home smelling of orange zest in the morning and frakincense and vanilla at night. Not only that, but they provide humidity to your home which could be great for your skin and hair. Check out the diffuser sets listed below!

Conclusion

While its easy to think, “hey, I’ve been using scented candles for years and haven’t had any health problems or been hospitalized.” The idea with toxins often is that “the dose makes the poison.” Thus you could expose yourself to a dangerous toxin as long as it is within safe limits. But it’s important to consider that any toxin anywhere, is still a toxin. It can still have an effect on you even if you don’t see it today. So limiting your exposure to toxic chemicals like the ones found in candles would be the best idea to keep your home safe from toxins but smelling great.

Blessings,

M/M

Best Toxin-Free Hair Care Products You Need Now in 2021

In a previous post, I spoke about some of the harmful ingredients in many personal care products. Many of which are tied to cancer, can jack up your hormones, ruin some vital organs, and or cause irritation. Many of these chemicals are in our tried and true, ride or die products (I’m looking at you Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Deep Conditioner!). Today, I’ll list the best toxin-free hair care products that are great to try for all hair types that don’t break the bank!

SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Shampoo & Conditioner pack -$20.89 (at Amazon, see link below)

This brand is known for its high quality ingredients free of toxins that are great for curly hair types. I personally use this exact line, and my hair has been super moisturized since using it. You can find Shea Moisture products anywhere these days: CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Target, and Amazon.

ACURE Curiously Clarifying Shampoo, Lemongrass & Argan-$9.99 (at Amazon, see link below)

ACURE is a vegan hair care brand that has amazing products! This shampoo is a great clarifier that will strip hair of nasty oil and dirt leaving your hair clean and stronger because of the argan oil infused in the formula. They have lines for thin, fragile hair; and even dry, thirsty locks! This brand is definitely A CURE for dry, damaged, limp hair (get it? A cure?). You can find them Amazon or at your local Whole Foods!

Puracy Citrus & Mint Sulfate-Free Natural Daily Shampoo and Conditioner Pack-$25.99 (at Amazon, see link below)

Puracy is a vegan, hypoallergenic hair line that is cruelty free. This award-winning hair care brand has all your toxin-free needs from hair care products, baby shampoo and body wash, body washes, laundry detergents, and multi-surface cleaners! Their Citrus and Mint shampoo and conditioner will keep your hair cleaner and stronger between washes. You can find this brand at Target and Amazon.

The Honest Company Conditioning Detangler & Fortifying Spray-$5.99 (at Amazon, see link below)

This product is Amazon’s choice for detanglers with 4.5 stars. It’ll soften and nourish hair while leaving it smelling of vanilla and sweet orange. This company has it all: body washes, hair care products, even personal care products for babies all toxin- free! You can find their affordable products at Amazon and Target.

Pacifica Pineapple Curls Pomade–

Who doesn’t need bouncier curls while smelling like pineapples? This pomade will nourish, and define curls, lay edges and add shine to hair. This brand is also cruelty free and vegan! You can buy these at Amazon and Target!

Kerastase Discipline relays anti-frizz oil serum–$37.99 (At Amazon, see link below)

This serum is pretty popular, its effectiveness touted even by the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle. Kerastase is great for all hair types. But this particular line is great for reducing frizz, and smoothing hair: making it a winner for curly, or wavy hair types! You can find this product at Sephora, and Amazon.

Yarok Feed Your Roots Mousse–$32.00 (At Amazon, see link below)

Hmm, a mousse that’s toxin free, will nourish my hair, and not dry it out? What more could a girl ask for? This all-natural, cruelty free, vegan product is great for thin, limp or damaged hair. The Yurok Feed Your Roots Mousse transforms your locks into voluminous hair by giving it the nutrients it needs. You can find these products on Amazon or the detox market. They’re having a huge half-off sale right now on their site!

If you’re in need of some hair care products that are free of harmful chemicals, give these product lines a try! They’ll get the job done of giving you luscious, nourished locks without the worry of using dangerous chemicals.