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Calcium chloride is an inorganic chemical compound that is used in medicine, cosmetology, physical therapy, the food industry and construction. On food labels, it appears under the symbol E509 – because it is an acidity regulator and a completely safe binding agent, as confirmed by the World Health Organization.
Application and properties of calcium chloride
Calcium chloride in the form of supplements is taken by people with calcium deficiency and tetany, which is a disease manifested by painful muscle contractions. It is also indicated for athletes due to its positive effect on metabolism, in convalescence after fractures and in adolescence. Calcium chloride accelerates the absorption of calcium by the body, and as you know, this element is essential for the proper functioning of the entire body, especially the skeletal system.
This substance is very often used in the confectionery, vegetable and fruit, bakery and cheese industries. It is a component of cottage cheese, ripening cheeses, yellow cheeses, milk – especially when the calcium content in dairy products is too low. Due to its binding properties, it is used in the production of jams, jellies, marmalades, fruit compotes and canned fruit.
Calcium chloride is also used to protect stone and wood, dry gas and make cotton fabrics non-flammable. It also works well as a fertilizer due to its low price and enriching fruits (e.g. apples) with calcium. The process of spraying trees with calcium chloride is called liming. In winter, it is used next to road salt to remove ice from pavements. Calcium chloride, thanks to its hygroscopic properties, absorbs moisture from the environment and generates heat that melts snow and ice. In addition, it works in frosts as high as -30 degrees Celsius, while road salt is only effective down to -6 degrees Celsius. In mining, it is used for safety reasons – it reduces the risk of coal dust explosion.
In beauty salons, treatments using calcium chloride are often performed, e.g. iontophoresis, which involves the introduction of active substances into the deep parts of the skin using direct current. This compound is anti-inflammatory, supports the regeneration of nervous tissue, and also seals blood vessels. During physiotherapy treatments, calcium chloride is administered to patients whose bones do not want to heal, as well as to those who have laryngitis or vasomotor disorders.
If you want to replenish the deficiency of key micronutrients, reach for a dietary supplement with high digestibility of calcium and magnesium, which is available on the Medonet Market.
Is calcium chloride harmful?
Calcium chloride, consumed in excessive amounts, also in the form of dietary supplements, can have a negative impact on health and even life. The symptoms of poisoning include, in particular:
- gastric mucosa,
- heartburn, nausea
- vomiting,
- Heart arythmia,
- reddening of the skin and a sore throat.
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