Melissa Nguyen

ISM – 7

Bjarnadottir, Adda. “Health Foods That Are Harmful If You Eat Too Much” Health Line. 4

June 2017, healthline.com/nutrition/8-health-foods-harmful-in-large-amounts. Accessed

22 Oct. 2018.

 It should be noted that the more something is, it does not necessarily make it
better to consume.
 Tuna (Both Fresh and Canned)
o Contains high levels of an environment pollutant called methylmercury.
o Methylmercury is a toxin that leads to health issues: delay in children
growth, issues with vision, and impairment with hearing and speech.
o The limit that is safe for humans to consume is 0.1 micrograms per
kilograms of body weight.
o Studies show that pregnant women and children should not consume any
type of fish more than two times per week.
 Cinnamon
o It is known for reducing blood sugar levels and risks for heart disease,
diabetes, and cancer.
o Though it gives people many beneficial health preventions and solutions,
cinnamon contains a large amount of coumarin which is harmful to the
body when taken in immense dosage.
o Eating coumarin that is more than 0.1 mg per kg of the body weight is
toxic to the liver and may lead to cancer.
o Occasionally consuming large amounts is acceptable; however, if it is
unhealthy to eat too often.
 Coffee
o Lowers the risk of liver and neurodegenerative diseases and type 2
diabetes.
o Caffeine is the main component of coffee.
o 400 mg of it is safe; however, 500-600 mg a day can be extreme.
o Could cause stress to the nervous system, leading to irritability, cramps,
insomnia, and heart palpitations.
o Side effects depend on individuals.
 Cruciferous Vegetables
o Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, collard greens, cabbage, and kale.
o Is beneficial to fighting off risks for cancer and heart disease.
o Thiocyanates, a component in the listed vegetables, may cause a problem
in the body trying to absorb iodine.
o The process would lead to hypothyroidism which is a term used for when
a thyroid gland is not functioning properly.

Adda Bjarnadottir assist in providing me specific information such as methylmercury in tuna,

caffeine in coffee, and other compounds in healthy food items which explained that consuming
an excessive amount of healthy foods is not necessarily benefitting the body faster but harming it
instead.
 Melissa Nguyen
ISM – 7

Keiren, et al. “Food Dyes Linked to Behavioral Problems.” Insteading, 17 June 2016,

insteading.com/blog/food-dyes-linked-to-behavior-problems/. Accessed 22 Oct. 2018.

 In 2010, European Parliament voted to ban synthetic dyes from foods and English
food companies needed to remove artificial dyes by end of 2009.
 Suspicions against food coloring go back to 1970s.
 2007 study by the British Food Standards Agency found that food dyes correlate
with hyperactivity, ADHD, and decreased IQs in children.
 Food coloring is a mixture of lab chemicals and petro-chemicals.
 Caramel coloring contains two life-threatening animal carcinogens: 2-
methylimidazole (2-MI) and 4-methylimididazole (4-MI).
o 2-MI and 4-MI leads to liver, lung, and thyroid cancer in tested mice and
rats.
o Acting according to the discovery, California’s Proposition 65 states that
food items containing an amount that surpasses the maximum need to
have warning labels.
 Blue dyes found in beverages, ice cream, dairy products, candy, and other edible
products are labeled as caution.
o Possible symptoms/ diseases are allergic reactions, asthma, cancer, and
kidney tumors (discovered in mice).
 Citrus Red 2 is one of the many artificial dyes that studies have shown that people
should avoid.
o The dye is used to color the skin of oranges (the fruit) during citrus season
to make it appear fresher.
o Noted to be toxic to rodents and caused tumors of the bladder and other
organs.
 Yellow 5 or Tartrazine should be avoided
o Found in sodas (Mountain Dew), energy drinks, corn chips, popcorn,
candy, and even in shampoos and moisturizers.
o Is the second-most-widely-used artificial dye.
o Causes hypersensitivity reactions.
o A possibility of an increase in irritability, restlessness, and sleep
deprivation.
o Changes biochemical markers in organs.
 In England, Fanta is dyed with pumpkin and carrot extract while in America, the
drink is dyed with Red 40 and Yellow 6.

Keiren’s article helped me explore and understand the dangers of artificial dyes, and the
consequences they can create if they are not banned or at least limited to in food products where
health issues would not arise.
 Melissa Nguyen
ISM – 7

Mayo Clinic Staff. “What Nutrients Does Your Child Need Now?” Mayo Clinic, Mayo

Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 15 June 2017, mayoclinic.org/healthy-

lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/nutrition-for-kids/art-20049335. Accessed 22 Oct

2018.

 Protein
o Seafood, poultry eggs, soy products, lean meant, and unsalted nuts.
 Fruits
o Fresh, frozen, or dried fruits are much healthier that juice since the latter
product could add more sugar than the fruit itself had already contained.
 Vegetables
o Various of ways vegetables could be served: fresh, boiled, frozen or
canned.
o Should have a variety in vegetables: dark green, red or orange and beans
and peas.
 Grains
o Whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, popcorn, and brown rice.
o White bread, pasta, and white rice should be limited.
 Dairy
o Fat-free or low-fat products.
o Yogurt, cheese, or milk.
 Daily guidelines for ages 2 to 3 (estimated for boys and girls)
o Protein – 2 to 4 oz.
o Fruits – 1 to 1.5 cups.
o Vegetables – 1 to 1.5 cups.
o Grains – 3 to 5 oz.
o Dairy – 2 cups.
 Daily guidelines for ages 4 to 8 (estimated for boys and girls)
o Protein – 3 to 5.5 oz.
o Fruits – 1 to 2 cups.
o Vegetables – 1.5 to 2.5 cups.
o Grains – 4 to 6 oz.
o Dairy – 2.5 cups.
 Daily guidelines for ages 9 to 13 (estimated for boys and girls)
o Protein – 4 to 6.5 oz.
o Fruits – 1.5 to 2 cups.
o Vegetables – 1.5 to 3.5 cups.
o Grains – 5 to 9 oz.
o Dairy – 3 cups.

I learned from this article about the specific food items and the minimum and maximum amounts
of each food category necessary for children to consume so that they can receive the nutrients
they need to maintain a healthy diet.