Food Additives

Sodium benzoate is a preservative commonly found in soft drinks, fruit juices, jams, salad dressings, pickles [because of the vinegar], and some Chinese sauces like soy and mustard. Sad to say, the chemical is also found in silver polish and alcohol-based mouthwash. And what's more shocking? It is also used in fireworks, it is the powder which makes that whistling noise when ignited.

Sodium benzoate are naturally found in cranberries, prunes, plums, cinnamon, ripe cloves and apples. But the presence of this type of salt does not necessarily act to preserve them. You are probably wondering why they have to include it in most foods when it is used to polish metals, well, it's because sodium benzoate kills bacteria, yeast and fungi. It is added in small amounts because if too much is added, the food/drink will have a bitter taste.

It is also linked to hyperactivity. Try to observe your kids after drinking sodas, they could be very active all through out the day and may find it difficult to sleep when bedtime comes. Cutting out on foods containing sodium benzoate, artificial foods and those containing food coloring can counteract most of the adverse effects like attention span and hyperactivity.

*Source: Wikipedia, WiseGeek