E-free: 5 “dangerous” food additives that science justifies

Monosodium glutamate

E621 undeservedly leads almost every top harmful food additive. It is called a taste enhancer, although it would be more fair to call it a taste enhancer, and not just any, but a very specific one - umami.

The bad reputation of the E621 stems from a study by Japanese professor Hiroshi Ohguro. For six months, the team of the scientist fed. rats with monosodium glutamate, and the substance made up 20% of their diet. As a result, the animals experienced loss of vision and thinning of the retina. At the same time, Hiroshi Oguro himself argued that consumption of E621 in small doses is safe.

It has been empirically proven that there is no connection between eating monosodium glutamate and headaches. Does monosodium glutamate really cause headache?: a systematic review of human studies., asthma Monosodium glutamate and asthma. … The use of E621 is recognized as safe. The safety evaluation of monosodium glutamate. and not causing toxicological concerns.

Aspartame

A popular and cheap sweetener labeled E951 is the second most popular sweetener in the world with a not-so-good reputation. The substance was suspected of carcinogenicity, considered the cause of coma in diabetics and one of the factors causing Alzheimer's disease. That is why the additive has been repeatedly researched - and its complete safety has been established Aspartame: a safety evaluation based on current use levels, regulations, and toxicological and epidemiological studies. …

Another fear about aspartame: one of its breakdown products is methanol. But, firstly, methanol also contains Effect of storage conditions on methanol content of fruit and vegetable juices. in fruit and vegetable juices. In a liter of cola without sugar - 60 mg of this substance, in a liter of freshly squeezed tomato juice - 240 mg.

Secondly, to get a dangerous dose of methanol, you need to drink 13, 3 liters of diet soda or use 133 sweetener tablets.

Aspartame is dangerous for patients with phenylketonuria as one of the sources of phenylalanine, which their body cannot process.

Emulsifier E471

This dietary supplement is blamed for the serious strain on the liver, the negative effect on the biliary tract and the provocation of obesity. In fact, E471, like other emulsifiers from the list of E-additives, does not have any harmful effects on the body. Mono- and diglycerides. But due to its high fat content, uncontrolled consumption of an emulsifier (like any other fat) can really lead to weight gain, only the banal excess of the daily calorie content will be to blame.

Sunset dye yellow

E110 is suspected of causing food intolerance and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, but no direct link has been found between the supplement and the disorder. … In the quantities in which it is used in the food industry, the colorant does not have the Reconsideration of the temporary ADI and refined exposure assessment for Sunset Yellow FCF (E 110). carcinogenic or toxic effect.

Konjak

Food additive E425, which includes konjac flour, konjac gum and konjac glucomannan, is approved in Russia. And in the European Union it was banned The European Parliament yesterday voted with an overwhelming majority for a permanent ban on the use of the food additive E425, otherwise known as konjac, in jelly confectionery. in 2008, but only for use in the production of jelly.

It is believed that E425 can lead to asphyxiation, but the toxicity of the konjac is not the reason. It's just that the jelly made with this thickener doesn't dissolve in the mouth. To safely transfer it to the stomach, the jelly must be chewed thoroughly. At the same time, there are cases when consumers tried to suck the jelly out of the mold and it blocked the airways. This is what led to the strangulation.