Another chemical to consider is Aspartame. It's routinely used as a dietary supplement in most sugar free sodas. It's banned in some countries because of its harmful health effects, cancer being one. Of course, Monsanto disclaims this.
I believe the growing number of health problems we are seeing are a result of chemicals being used with little regard for human life.

You know you're old when you walk past a rest room and think, as long as I'm here........