[ajmurmann]

To add to your point, many of these "chemicals" aren't even all that artificial. Some thickeners for example come from algae and gave been in use since centuries just in different countries. Looking at some traditional food like ham they are incredibly processed we just are used to it.

[deeth_starr_v]

My point was basically about food breaking down in a system (our gut). We have some knowledge about this. But not much.