E301 impact on the human body. E301 (sodium ascorbate) - the harm and benefits of food additives

Excessive intake of the supplement can cause digestive upset.

It should be taken with caution by people with urinary tract diseases and kidney failure. Excess sodium ascorbate is oxidized in the body to oxalic acid, which begins to actively interact with calcium. As a result, oxolate is formed, from which kidney stones are formed.

In Russia, the use of potassium sulfite is permitted in very limited concentrations. In which food products this preservative can be found, you will find out.

Main manufacturers

Sodium ascorbate is produced by Marbiopharm (Republic of Mari El) and Vostokvit (Biysk).

The first uses domestic raw materials, the second gets it from China.

The bulk of the food additive E 301 is supplied to the Russian market by the chemical and pharmaceutical company Merck KGaA (Germany). It was founded in 1668 (in Russia since 1898) and is considered the oldest in the world.

If in the body of the majority of "smaller brothers" vitamin C is synthesized independently, then a person has to replenish the reserves of a valuable substance from various sources.

It is necessary to include in the diet foods rich in ascorbic acid daily.

Important to remember! With prolonged storage, heat treatment, the vitamin loses some of its beneficial properties.

Are dangerous.

An example of this is dietary antioxidants.

Their action is aimed at protecting against the adverse effects of free radicals and preventing oxidative processes in the product cells.

They can even slow down the aging process, so it is imperative to include such components in the daily diet.

In the manufacture of food, they are actively used, as they improve the color of the product, extend the shelf life and prevent oxidation.

In such production, the use of natural and synthetic antioxidants is allowed. The latter, due to their availability, are preferable in production.

The most common substances obtained by artificial means are E301, E307, E304, E316, E319.

E 301: harm or benefit?

E301 - what is it?

This ingredient is often referred to as sodium ascorbate, and is the sodium salt of ascorbic acid.

It is synthesized quite simply: they dissolve ascorbic acid in water, adding ordinary soda in the process.

As a result, after the foam subsides, the desired component is precipitated by adding isopropyl alcohol.

E 301 is a potent zero hazard antioxidant. Therefore, the additive is widely used in the production of bakery products, margarine, mayonnaise, sausages, fish and meat semi-finished products.

The benefits of sodium ascorbate for humans are undeniable:

• reduces the risk of developing diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• prevents the formation of atherosclerosis;
• helps the whole body fight viral and infectious diseases;
• activates the body's defenses;
• helps to better absorb food;
• improves the condition of the skin, hair and nails.

The permissible daily intake should not exceed 15 mg / kg, since with an excess of sodium ascorbate is converted into oxalic acid, which can provoke the formation of kidney stones.

Is the use of E307 dangerous?

E307 is also known as alpha-tocopherol, or vitamin E, which is the main antioxidant in the human body.

Naturally, vitamin E is found in fish, meat, milk, herbs, oils, and cereals.

Vitamin E significantly slows down the process of fat oxidation and prevents the creation of harmful free radicals.

In its synthetic form, the vitamin is added to food products containing a large amount of fats and oils, since the substance E307 can significantly extend the shelf life.

The additive is also used in the pharmaceutical industry in the production of vitamins and in cosmetology in the production of creams, shampoos, masks.

The benefits of E307 are undeniable, because it has a positive effect on human health:

• promotes the absorption of oxygen at the cellular level;
• has a beneficial effect on the reproductive system;
• improves the condition of the skin, hair, nails, prevents the formation of age spots;
• ensures the absorption of vitamin A;
• helps in the treatment of herpes, ulcers, eczema.

Is it safe to use E304?

E 304 - ascorbyl palmitate is another component that is safe for human health and is used in the production of food products.

Also obtained synthetically by combining ascorbic and palmitic acids... This is the fatty component of ascorbic acid. It is a white powder with a slight lemon scent.

It is used to eliminate rancidity in fats and refined vegetable oils, in the production of mayonnaise, sausages and semi-finished meat products, can be added to instant potato dishes, as well as in the production of flavorings.

Approved in the manufacture of baby food, formula and milk powder.

The synthetic additive also has stabilizing properties.

It does not harm the body, but the maximum permissible daily intake should not be higher than 1.35 mg / kg of weight.

More benefit or harm from E 316?

E316 - sodium erythorbate is a white powder, odorless, but with a slightly salty taste.

This is another antioxidant that is safe for humans to consume.

It dissolves well in aqueous and alcoholic solution, but this property is absent in a fatty and oily medium.

E316 is synthesized by combining ascorbic acid with sodium hydroxide, and is also obtained from natural sugar cane, corn and sugar beets.

Besides being used as an antioxidant, erythorbate can be used as an acidity regulator and color stabilizer.

You can meet E316 on the packaging of meat, sausages and semi-finished products, in canned fish. The additive is able to prevent the browning of the fruit skins when exposed to oxygen. In addition, E316 is added to the composition of confectionery, bakery products, various fats, beverages containing and not containing alcohol.

It is easily excreted from our body, it is completely safe and approved for use. The daily allowance should not be higher than 5 mg / kg body weight.

What effect does E319 have?

E319 - tert-butylhydrochenone is also quite approved for use.

But unlike the previous ones, E319 belongs to the category of "conditionally safe".

Its consumption rate should not exceed 0.2 mg / kg of human body weight.

What harm can you expect from E 319?

She can cause:

• asthma attacks or choking;
• vomiting;
• allergies;
• hallucinations and delusions.

This reaction is due to the chemical origin of the component. The advantage lies in its peculiarity to leave the taste and color of the finished products unchanged.

A component is added in the manufacture of mayonnaise and various ready-made sauces based on it, instant soups and mashed potatoes, semi-finished confectionery products, and cereals.

Conclusion

The action of antioxidants on our body is certainly beneficial.

Not all synthetic components are harmful.

But the choice of products, which contain synthenic ingredients, must be approached wisely, having carefully studied the label beforehand.

Antioxidants are capable of:

1. Extend the shelf life.
2. Prevent the occurrence of oxidative processes.

All of the above additives are officially approved for use on the territory of our state and most of the EU countries, but you should not exceed the daily consumption rate.