What Are Natural Flavor Additives and Are They Good For You?

When you look at most processed foods or at the ingredient listing of your favorite soda or fast food, one of the most common ingredients you will see is natural flavors.  But just how ‘natural’ are these flavors?  Are natural flavors made from plant or animal extracts?  Is it some other liquid or ingredient taken from your favorite fruits, veggies, and other foods? 

 

Well, not exactly.  When processed foods are made, they become almost entirely bland and flavorless, thus some flavor needs to be added back.  While some foods use artificial methods, other makers know that the term ‘natural flavors’ is much more appealing to consumers, who of course all want to eat healthily. 

 

Natural flavors is the term given to an array of chemicals made from natural ingredients, including essential oils, oleoresins, extracts, essences, distillates, and other extracted items that come from food products.  The sole purpose of these ingredients is to add flavor to food rather than to provide nutritional value, so in fact they don’t provide any great health benefits or vitamin boosts.

As to whether or not these natural flavors are truly natural – they are not.  In truth, they are made by chemists using very costly methods.  While they are derived from natural ingredients and are not synthetic, natural flavors can include microbially produced acids as well as a number of other ingredients that are just barely within the allowance for the term natural. 

 

In short, while they may not offer health risks, natural flavors are not natural and eating fresh is still likely the best way to go when looking for a delicious and nutritious meal or snack.

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