The human body is naturally created to break down simple foods. As a growing population, we have had to create technology that can meet the demand for food. By generating this technology, we have created foods that our bodies are not fully capable of breaking down without having a negative effect on health. The food industry uses thousands of chemicals and additives to preserve our food and our bodies respond. Nitrates and nitrites are used in meat preservation and can cause many health problems that most of us are not aware of. Methemoglobinemia is a blood disorder in which oxygen-carrying molecules (hemoglobin) build up and fail to get proper oxygen throughout your body. Methemoglobinemia can cause comas, seizures, and cyanosis (a blue or purple discoloration of the skin due to lack of oxygen). According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, not only are you at risk for methemoglobinemia, but you're eating your way. potential cancer. “Elevated risks of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and cancers of the esophagus, nasopharynx, bladder and prostate have been reported” (“Case Studies in Environmental Medicine (CSEM) Nitrate/Nitrite ToxicityWhat are the physiological effects from exposure to nitrates/nitrites?) Nitrates are also known to cause headaches, nausea, vomiting and asthma. So sit back and enjoy your nice, juicy steak if you dare. Sucralose and acesulfame potassium (acesulfame K) are both found in many sugar-free foods to supplement the lack of sugar. Sucralose is used to counteract the aftertaste of Acesylfam K. Sucralose is most commonly found in Splenda and is reported to have many side effects on the human body. Some side effects include a shrunken thymus, enlarged liver and kidneys. ...... middle of paper ...... produced today. To avoid having health problems associated with diet, we need to educate ourselves about what is in our food. Works cited “Bromine (Br) – Chemical properties, effects on health and the environment”. Water treatment and purification - Lenntech. 2009. Internet. March 29, 2011. "Case Studies in Environmental Medicine (CSEM) Nitrate/Nitrite ToxicityWhat are the physiological effects of nitrate/nitrite exposure?" Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. USA.GOV, September 24, 2007. Web. March 29, 2011. “Debating the safety of milk from rBGH-treated cows (box). » Problems and controversies recorded: n. page. Problems and controversies. Facts On File News Services, February 12, 1999. Web. April 15. 2011. .