E211 preservative - what is it? What is the harm of E211 for the body? Effect on the body of sodium benzoate

When buying food in supermarkets, each of us pays attention to the fact that in the majority of products there are many substances beginning with the letter "E". it Additives, without which the food industry can not work now. One of the most common is E211 - a preservative. To increase the shelf life of products, it is added by all manufacturers. Sometimes this name is replaced by the words "sodium benzoate".

What is this preservative

This is a salt of benzoic acid, which is obtained by its interaction with a caustic soda. It was created for the first time in the late 19th century. Scientists were looking for a substitute for salicylic acid, which was widespread at the time, but required a lot of production costs. Sodium benzoate was easily available and inexpensive for the price, so it was used in industry. Then it turned out that in small quantities it is found in cranberries, apples, cinnamon, cloves and prunes. They considered that it was safe, and began to use it in the production of food.

E211 (preservative) is a substance that is a white powder that dissolves rapidly in water. In this form it is easy to introduce into any products. Powder has a weak sweetish taste and almost no odor. Therefore, he Add in the production of food, because its taste and flavor does not change from this. But it acquires a very important quality for trade - a long shelf life. This is a very stable substance - it does not decompose when boiled.

Benzoic acid itself is also a preservative and is labeled with the letters E210. When interacting with potassium, calcium and sodium, salts are formed from it, which are also used to increase the shelf life of products. These are food additives Е212 and Е213. They are used much less often.

Why is this substance so often used?

E211 - a preservative that suppresses the life of moldy bacteria and yeast fungi. It has the properties of an antibiotic and inhibits the ability of cells to produce enzymes. Because of this, microbes perish, and bacteria do not multiply. But in this and Is the harm of E211 - because it inhibits the activity of cells and their ability to break down fats and starch. So it acts not only on bacteria and microbes, but also on all cells of the body.

But food manufacturers use E211 (a preservative) very often. It not only allows you to keep sauces, canned food and confectionery for a long time, but also improves the taste of stale and spoiled food. Therefore, it is often used in the production of semi-finished products.

Where is sodium benzoate used

This preservative is used in the food industry, pharmacology, cosmetics and perfumery. It helps create a loud sound when starting firecrackers, and is also used to prevent the molding of tobacco in cigarettes and to protect aluminum parts in the industry.

Additive E211 can be found in shampoos, toothpastes and shower gels. But especially it is a lot of food: all canned food, preserves, sausages, sauces, confectionery and sweets, as well as carbonated beverages necessarily contain sodium benzoate. What is this preservative, you need to know, because it is added even in baby food and cough syrups. It prevents the spoilage of products and is used as a color enhancer.

Which products contain E211

The following products include the described preservative:

- cheeses, sausages and meat products;

- fish caviar, canned food and preserves, shrimp and salted fish;

- jams, jam, jelly and other fruit and berry convenience foods;

- all soft drinks or with alcohol content less than 15%;

- mayonnaise, margarine, ketchup, sauces;

- spices and seasonings, mustard;

- pickled or salted vegetables;

- Confectionery and sweets;

- All ready-made salads;

- dairy desserts;

- chewing gum and chocolate with filling;

- diet food and products for weight loss.

Is this additive harmful?

In most countries this preservative is banned for use in the food industry. But in Russia and in some other countries it is actively used, without warning the population about the dangers of its consumption in food. The World Health Organization recognized its harmlessness only in permissible quantities. But noted that allergic reactions and genotoxicity are possible, even from such minimal use. Due to the fact that in recent years people have become interested in their health and are increasingly talking about what harm E211 does, its production is gradually declining. But still it is still included in a large number of products lying on the shelves of our stores.

Benzoate sodium: effects on the human body

This substance has the same effect on human cells as on microbial: it inhibits oxidation-reduction processes, especially the breakdown of fats and starch. This causes hives or other allergic reactions, as well as exacerbation of chronic diseases. Sodium benzoate can also cause neurodegenerative diseases, as well as Parkinson's disease or even cirrhosis.

The acceptable dose of safe use is 5 milligrams per kilogram of weight per day. But this substance is able to accumulate in the body. And its large concentration in the most common foodstuffs leads to the fact that even children consume sodium benzoate in large quantities. Influence on the human body is harmful to him by the fact that it damages an important part of the DNA. This part provides the cell with energy. Due to the influence of this substance, it is malfunctioning.

The use of E211 together with ascorbic acid

Especially the big harm of sodium benzoate is manifested when it is combined with some other additives. Often it is used together with ascorbic acid - E300. Reacting with it, sodium benzoate forms benzene. This substance, getting into the body, causes cancer. Increases its release in the presence of citric acid and at high temperature.

When the dose of benzene intake is exceeded, a person feels nauseous and dizzy, and other symptoms of intoxication appear. And in the case of the constant use of these food supplements together, it accumulates in the body and causes cancer. It is believed that especially benzene acts on the blood. He is the cause of the lack of hemoglobin - anemia and leukemia - blood cancer.

The combination of sodium benzoate with other additives

It is very rare that food additives are used separately. Usually several preservatives, dyes and other substances are added to the products. Often they interact with each other or enhance the effect of certain substances. For example, sodium benzoate is often added to dairy products, along with potassium sorbate, because lactic acid bacteria are more strongly inhibited . And in combination with lactic acid enhances the preservative effect of E211.

Sodium benzoate: effect on the baby's body

Modern children in large quantities consume products containing this preservative. In addition, they include many other additives. The UK Food Standards Agency conducted research in 2007 on the effects of sodium benzoate on children's hyperactivity. The combination of this preservative with certain dyes, for example yellow, red or tartrazine, causes Violations in the behavior of the child.

It is believed that it can cause a children's attention deficit and hyperactivity. Of course, this is not the main reason for such behavior disorders, but Professor Jim Stevenson advised parents to remove from the baby's food products containing E211 (preservative) and various dyes. Many food companies are looking for an alternative replacement for sodium benzoate and intend to abandon its use in the near future.

Preservative E211 in cosmetics

Benzene enters the human body not only with food. Very harmful is its penetration through the skin and respiratory system. In addition to the fact that we inhale it with air a lot, most cosmetics also contain E211 (a preservative). The damage it causes after penetration through the skin has been proven by many scientists. After all, together with the fact that he Suppresses the vital activity of harmful microorganisms and prolongs the shelf life of cosmetics, it is capable of killing and beneficial bacteria that provide skin health. It can cause allergies and cancer. In addition, the relationship between sodium benzoate and rapid aging has been proven.

Whether to use products and cosmetics containing E211, to solve to everyone. But the fact that many countries of the world have already abandoned its use, and the rest are looking for an alternative replacement for it and reduce its release, speaks about the harmfulness of this substance for humans. And if after eating products containing sodium benzoate, you did not feel worse, this does not mean that it is safe. Accumulating in your body, this substance gradually destroys the cells. This is especially harmful to women and children, as it causes gene mutations.