The worst additive to borscht can cause disease and weight gain, yet many still use it

Is red borscht a frequent feature in your kitchen? If so, you must consider which additives you should avoid and the reasons why.

In December, red borscht becomes a common dish due to its delightful taste and the ease of its preparation. It's a nutritious meal that warms us up, especially on chilly winter nights.

Clearly, there are many reasons to enjoy red borscht. However, remember that the soup only holds full nutritional value when prepared correctly. So where might the common blunders be?

Homemade red borscht can't be complete without a tasty broth, which is often based on smoked meats. The soup also includes aromatic spices and the key ingredient - red beets. Here, it might seem like the list of ingredients ends, but does it?

Many people seem to favor adding another ingredient -  ready-made broth cubes, especially the ones with a smoked bacon flavor. Seemingly used to enhance the flavor, but does it bring more harm than help?

Even though ready-made broth cubes are seen as a quick and hassle-free solution for cooking, the composition of these cubes leaves much to be desired. They contain high levels of salt, hardened palm oil, sodium glutamate, artificial colors, and preservatives. These ingredients could potentially lead to diseases affecting the cardiovascular, hormonal, or digestive systems. Consuming these products can also result in allergic reactions, nausea, and headaches for some individuals. Furthermore, these cubes are calorie-dense, making them best avoided.

Thankfully, not using a ready-made broth cube doesn't mean your red borscht won't be as delicious. The solution is simple- just use high-quality ingredients and allow a variety of vibrant vegetables and delicious smoked meat to enrich your homemade broth. Feel free to explore with spices.

And if you're looking for more depth, you can always add a home-made broth cube to your boiling borscht. However, ensure it's made without artificial additives by simply utilizing a rich mix of meat, vegetables, and spices.

Before we sign off, are you someone who also adds a broth cube to your borscht? Or perhaps you have a signature addition that isn't mentioned? We'd love to know!