Read the Label: The Additives Changing Our Health
What Is Making Us Sick? A Closer Look at the Ingredients in Our Everyday Cooking
Many of today’s chronic health conditions—such as high blood pressure, elevated LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, and clogged arteries—are often linked not only to lifestyle choices, but to the ingredients we regularly consume. While we may focus on calories or portion sizes, we frequently overlook the quality and composition of the foods we prepare and eat every day.
Highly processed ingredients, excessive sodium, added sugars, unhealthy fats, and chemical additives are common in packaged and convenience foods. Over time, these substances can contribute to inflammation, cardiovascular strain, and metabolic imbalances that increase the risk of serious health concerns. What makes this especially concerning is that many of these ingredients are hidden in plain sight, listed on food labels that often go unread or misunderstood.
Reading the back of food labels is crucial to long-term wellness. Ingredient lists reveal more than nutritional facts—they tell us how our food is made and what we are putting into our bodies. Being informed allows us to make healthier choices, reduce our intake of harmful additives, and prioritize whole, nutrient-dense foods.
Ultimately, awareness is a powerful form of prevention. By becoming more intentional about the ingredients we use in our everyday cooking, we take an important step toward protecting our health, supporting our bodies, and improving overall well-being.
Preservatives and Additives in Butter That May Impact Heart Health
Traditional, minimally processed butter is typically made from cream and salt and contains few additives. However, many commercial butters and butter-like spreads include additional ingredients designed to extend shelf life, improve texture, or enhance flavor.
Some of these additives may raise concerns for heart health when consumed regularly.
Common additives include emulsifiers (such as lecithin), which help stabilize the product, and artificial or “natural” flavorings used to enhance taste. Certain products may also contain coloring agents, like beta carotene, to maintain a uniform appearance.
While these additives are generally considered safe in small amounts, they offer no nutritional benefit and may contribute to unnecessary chemical intake.
More concerning for heart health is that some butter alternatives and blended spreads contain high levels of saturated fats or refined plant oils, which can contribute to elevated LDL (“bad”) cholesterol when overconsumed.
In some processed spreads, preservatives are added to extend shelf life, increasing exposure to synthetic ingredients not found in whole foods.
For better heart health, it is important to read ingredient labels carefully and choose products with the shortest, most recognizable ingredient lists.
Opting for grass-fed, minimally processed butter or using healthier fats such as olive oil in moderation can help reduce unnecessary additives and support overall cardiovascular wellness.
Simple Ingredients. Stronger Health.
Choosing butter made with only **three simple ingredients—pasteurized cream, milk, and salt—**is a healthier and more transparent option for everyday cooking.
This type of butter is minimally processed and free from unnecessary additives, preservatives, and artificial flavorings commonly found in heavily processed spreads.
Because it contains only real dairy ingredients, three-ingredient butter provides a natural source of fats that help with nutrient absorption and support satiety when used in moderation. The absence of refined oils, emulsifiers, and stabilizers makes it a cleaner choice for those mindful of heart health and overall wellness.
Using butter with a short, recognizable ingredient list encourages better eating habits by prioritizing whole foods and simplicity.
When you know exactly what’s in your butter, you can cook with confidence—supporting both flavor and health the way nature intended.
Simple Ingredients. One Healthy Choice.
The ingredients we choose every day quietly shape our health, our energy, and how our bodies function over time.
What we cook with may seem small in the moment, but repeated choices—good or bad—add up.
Highly processed ingredients, artificial additives, and low-quality fillers can strain the gut, contribute to inflammation, and place unnecessary stress on the heart.
On the other hand, clean, thoughtfully sourced ingredients work with the body, not against it.
At Epicurious Teas and Spices, we believe food should nourish as much as it delights.
That’s why we are intentional about every ingredient we use. Premium-quality herbs, spices, and blends aren’t just about better flavor—they support digestion, balance, and overall wellness.
When ingredients are pure and thoughtfully sourced, they help promote a healthier gut, improve nutrient absorption, and support heart health naturally.
Using the right ingredients is an act of care—for your body and your long-term well-being.
At Epicurious Teas and Spices, we remove the guesswork by offering products you can trust, made to enhance both taste and health.
Because when you start with quality, every meal becomes an opportunity to feel better, live better, and truly savor what you consume.