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Carrageenan is an additive used to thicken, emulsify, and preserve foods and drinks. It is a natural ingredient that comes from red algae (also called Irish moss). Carrageenan is often found in nut milk, meat products, and yogurt. Since the late 1960s, there has been controversy surrounding the health effects of using carrageenan.
Chemical structure of carrageenan
Carrageenan molecules are very large and flexible, and they twist to form helical structures. This enables them to form gels at room temperature. They are widely used in food and other industries as thickeners and stabilizing agents.f
A particular advantage is that they thin out under shear stress and regain their viscosity when the stress is removed. Carrigan production: The raw material is prepared in an alkaline solution, then the solid parts are filtered off, and the remaining solution contains carrageenan, which is then concentrated, removed from the solution and dried.
Or another method: the raw materials are prepared in an alkaline solution that contains potassium hydroxide to prevent carrageenan from dissolving in the solution. So when the algae is removed, what remains is carrageenan and cellulose, which is ground into a powder.
Harm and side effects of carrageenan
Products with carrageenan may be labeled “natural”, but limited research indicates that carrageenan may contribute to or cause: inflammation, flatulence, irritable bowel syndrome, glucose intolerance, colon cancer, food allergies. Chronic inflammation can lead to a greater likelihood of other diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, tendinitis, chronic cholecystitis, or inflammation of the gallbladder.
One review also points out that there is no significant difference between “food grade” (non-granular) and granular carrageenan. Granular carrageenan is a carcinogenic (cancer-causing) version that is not approved for use. It has even been used to induce inflammation in animal studies.
Granular carrageenan was created in the 1960s. At that time, doctors often recommended carrageenan for the treatment of peptic ulcers. But for efficiency, a large concentration of the substance was needed, so the researchers granulated it.
They soon discovered that this was not a good solution and that this granular carrageenan was harmful. Thus, it is no longer used to treat peptic ulcers. Food grade carrageenan was tested to contain at least 5 percent granular carrageenan. One sample had about 25 percent. But many of the studies done to explore the dangers of carrageenan have been done on animals and cells.
Reports of bloating, irritable bowel syndrome, and other digestive problems have sometimes been observed following the consumption of products with this dietary supplement. After the elimination of carrageenan from the diet, these symptoms disappeared in people.
When exposed to carrageenan with gastric acid, hydrolysis can occur in the human stomach, and lead to depolymerization of non-granular carrageenan and the formation of granular, which is carcinogenic.
Use in the cosmetics industry
Carrageenan and its salts are used in skin care products to give them a smooth, creamy texture. It is also a water-binding agent, which means it helps retain water on the skin and hair, increasing hydration. It is most likely to be found in products such as moisturizers, shampoos, conditioners, and toothpastes.
But do not worry about carrageenan in skin care products, as its molecules are too large to be absorbed through the skin, so they do not enter the bloodstream and do not affect the body.
Meanwhile, carrageenan may actually even be beneficial for the skin.
In addition to its hydration properties, some studies have also found to block the growth of viruses such as human papillomavirus, making it another protective factor in lubricants (in which it is already included).
Carrageenan in food
Carrageenan is often found in vegetarian products because manufacturers use it to replace gelatin, which is usually made from animal parts.
Often carrageenan and its salts can be found in such products:
- chocolate milk;
- cottage cheese;
- cream;
- ice cream;
- almond milk;
- vegetarian cheeses;
- coconut milk;
- rice and soy milk
It also helps keep oil and water soluble ingredients from separating, keeping the overall product more stable. That’s why it’s often used in salad dressings and sandwich spreads that include both oil and water-soluble ingredients.
Carrageenan is also found in pet foods, especially canned ones.
Carrageenan has no nutritional value, so there is no need to worry about the lack of any useful substance, while eliminating products containing it.
Karrigan Safety
At the moment, there are not enough human studies to confirm any connection between carrageenan and digestive problems. In the meantime, it is recommended to limit the amount of carrageenan consumed.
Some evidence suggests that carrageenan causes inflammation, gastrointestinal ulceration, and that it damages the digestive system.
The potential role of carrageenan in the development of gastrointestinal malignant and inflammatory bowel diseases requires a thorough rethinking of the advisability of its further use as a dietary supplement.
At the moment, there is not enough data to draw any conclusions, but it is still recommended to avoid its presence in food, if possible.