2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
It is known that the letter E and three more digits after it are denoted food additives, also called additives. Along with the good, even useful, additives such as baking soda, citric acid and others that we can see in every kitchen, there are also dangerous to health additives. They pose various risks with regular use. One of the most dangerous E's E123 - amaranth (red №2)
Main characteristics of E123 - amaranth
E123 is a substance that we classify as synthetic dyes. This additive colors the products in blue-red or brown-red, coloring can also be observed in violet-red. Amaranth is obtained from coal tar. It belongs to the substances that are especially dangerous.
Where is amaranth used in the food industry?
First of all amaranth begins to be used in pasta. They use it as an additive in the production of products such as cakes, biscuits, cereals. Later it is used in jellies and drinks. It is also widely used in confectionery - puddings, desserts, as well as ice cream and carbonated beverages.
Cosmetics also give scope to E123. Amaranth is part of lipsticks, blush and other makeup products.
How does amaranth work on the human body?
Research done in the 70s of last century shows that E123 leads to changes in the liver. It is especially dangerous during pregnancy because it damages the fetus. Studies by the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences have confirmed that E123, among other dangerous E's, can change human DNA, and any such change can provoke cancer. In the United States, amaranth is a banned substance because it is classified as a carcinogen. In EU countries, amaranth is approved for use because there is no direct evidence of its carcinogenic nature.
With regular use, reactions in the body such as rhinitis, allergies such as rashes and itching, liver and kidney problems are observed. E123 should be avoided by children as it leads to hyperactivity, also by adults with sensitivity to aspirin.
Therefore, carefully read the labels for the presence of amaranth.
Recommended:
The Most Dangerous Preservatives In Food
Eating healthy is one of the most discussed topics - what to consume, what to completely remove from your menu and why. Diets are increasingly flooding people's minds and often lead to obsession with the topic of food and food products. On the one hand, it is great for everyone to have a culture of eating, which is not limited to our attitude at the table.
Food Allergies Are Dangerous To Health
You may have an allergy after eating a certain food. Or you have witnessed rashes received from your friends or relatives. Food allergy is a reaction of the immune system after consuming a certain food and especially some of its ingredients.
Is Stale Cooked Food Dangerous?
The finished dish can stand on the stove or in the oven no more than an hour and a half after cooking. If the food is taken out of the refrigerator, then when heating soups and stews they should boil, and the thick pots should be heated for about ten minutes in the oven or three minutes in the microwave.
Three Food And Beverage Colorants Are Dangerous For Children
Three of the most widely used colorants for food and beverages are dangerous to children's health, said Associate Professor Georgi Miloshev, head of the Laboratory of Molecular Genetics at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. The problem is that these colorants have been identified as safe by European health authorities and are widely used by manufacturers.
E131 - The Colorant Chameleon In Food
Colors are if not the most common, then at least the most visible artificial food additives - literally! Every pleasant, alluring color of soft drink, pastry, jelly candies and even sausages is due to synthetic dye . In the food industry, this group of additives is denoted by a capital E and the first digit 1, and behind each E1 is a specific chemical.