Junk food additive may help the heart Synthetic

aspirin could fight disease: [SECOND Edition]

Krieger, Lisa M

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ABSTRACT (ABSTRACT)
Synthetic salicylates are used for flavoring, coloring and preserving products ranging from baked goods to
cosmetics. In these products, the quantity of salicylates is too small to be effective against pain or fever.
The average American eats the equivalent of one baby aspirin a day from synthetic salicylates in foods, said Lillian
M. Ingster, of the National Center For Health Statistics in Hyattsville, Md.
Ingster presented this hypothesis Thursday at a meeting of the American Heart Association in San Francisco. "We
don't know enough about them to say anything conclusive, but the research indicates that some of the synthetic
salicylates have aspirin-like properties," said Ingster.

FULL TEXT
The same chemicals that put the crispness in potato chips and the strawberry flavor in sherbet might also help
prevent deaths from heart disease, according to a new research report.
These substances, called salicylates, are the synthetic version of common aspirin, proven to reduce the blood clots
that trigger heart attacks and strokes.
Synthetic salicylates are used for flavoring, coloring and preserving products ranging from baked goods to
cosmetics. In these products, the quantity of salicylates is too small to be effective against pain or fever.
The average American eats the equivalent of one baby aspirin a day from synthetic salicylates in foods, said Lillian
M. Ingster, of the National Center For Health Statistics in Hyattsville, Md.
Ingster presented this hypothesis Thursday at a meeting of the American Heart Association in San Francisco. "We
don't know enough about them to say anything conclusive, but the research indicates that some of the synthetic
salicylates have aspirin-like properties," said Ingster.
The finding does not mean Americans should run to the kitchen in search of junk food, cautioned Ingster. Processed
foods contain fat, sugar and salt, known to be damaging to health.
But it may help explain a drop in rates of heart disease, unattributable to other known factors.
While there is no proof these substances are actually keeping anyone alive, a comparison of data over the past few
decades shows a correlation over time between increased ingestion of synthetic salicylates and falling rates of heart
disease.
Looking for the cause
The drop in heart disease is partially attributable to other factors, such as a decrease in cigarette smoking, lower
intake of dietary fats and cholesterol, more exercise and the reduction of other heart disease risk factors.
The decrease in death rates emerged in the mid-1960s - a decade after synthetic additives became widely used in
foods, but well before the adoption of heart-healthy habits by the public.
This unexplained drop in death rates sent scientists searching for other causes.
According to Ingster and her co-researcher, Dr. Manning Feinleib, the average American ingests or absorbs about
125 milligrams a day of synthetic salicylates. The recommended therapeutic dose of aspirin to help prevent heart
attack is 40 to 80 milligrams.
Chemical cousins

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Although aspirin and synthetic salicylates are not identical substances, they are chemical cousins and may share
therapeutic effects, said Ingster.
Also protective may be natural salicylates, found in oranges, raspberries, tomatoes and other fruits, certain teas, and
such spices as cinnamon, curry, dill and thyme.
These chemicals are thought to work against heart disease by preventing the buildup of fatty deposits in blood
vessels that cause arterial blockages, which set the stage for heart attack and stroke.
"Our findings suggest that the heavy concentration of processed foods in the typical American diet could be one
important source of protective chemicals that reduce thrombosis (clotting)," said Ingster.
"We need to take a close look at other sources of salicylates besides aspirin, as well as other food additives, to
examine their role in preventing death and disability from cardiovascular disease," she said.
Persons already taking aspirin under a doctor's supervision will not be harmed by a small amount of additional
salicylates in the diet, said Feinleib.
Precise data on additives is difficult to obtain, researchers note. Product labels are required to note only the addition
of natural and artificial flavors, rather than listing specific additives.
Synthetic salicylates are contained in baked goods, beverages, candy, chewing gum, puddings, ice cream, sherbet,
liquor and syrup. They may also be found in some drugs, antiseptic medications, cosmetics, lozenges, mouthwash,
toothpaste, perfumes and suntan lotions.
They preserve freshness, extend shelf life and add flavorings such as grape, peach and strawberry.
Credit: EXAMINER MEDICAL WRITER

DETAILS

Publication title: San Francisco Examiner; San Francisco, Calif.

Pages: A.1

Number of pages: 0

Publication year: 1996

Publication date: Mar 15, 1996

Section: NEWS

Publisher: San Francisco Media Company

Place of publication: San Francisco, Calif.

Country of publication: United States, San Francisco, Calif.

Publication subject: General Interest Periodicals--United States

ISSN: 2574-593X

Source type: Newspaper

Language of publication: English

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 Document type: NEWSPAPER

ProQuest document ID: 270423490

Document URL: https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/junk-food-additive-may-help-heart-

synthetic/docview/270423490/se-2?accountid=39767

Copyright: Copyright San Francisco Examiner Mar 15, 1996

Last updated: 2011-12-05

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