Sodium benzoate (Sodium Benzoate, E-211) is a compound of benzoic acid. Sodium benzoate registered as a food supplement with the code E-211... It is widely used in the food industry as a preservative. With increased doses is a strong carcinogen.
Chemical formula of sodium benzoate NaC 6 H 5 CO 2
The use and effects of sodium benzoate on the body
Sodium benzoate has antibiotic and color enhancer properties. It is found in barbecue sauces, preserves, soy sauces, "fruit" dragees, candies, etc. Causes allergic reactions. The harmful properties are enhanced in combination with E-102 (tartrazine). Banned for use in some countries. Approved in the CIS and Europe. In European countries, the negative impact of the combination of sodium benzoate and artificial colors on the behavior and intelligence of children is being discussed, and it is recommended to gradually withdraw the dyes E-110, E-104, E-122, E-129, E-102, E-124 from use.
Reacts with ascorbic acid (vitamin C, E-300 supplement), sodium benzoate can form benzene, which is a strong carcinogen. According to research by the British scientist Peter Piper, professor at the University of Sheffield, such a compound can cause fatal damage to DNA in mitochondria, which can cause a number of serious diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases, cirrhosis of the liver, Parkinson's disease, etc. the influence of the additive E-211 on hyperactivity in children. Research in this area was conducted by the UK Food Standards Agency in 2007. Now a number of foreign food manufacturers are looking for an alternative replacement for the food additive. E-211.
Sodium benzoate as a preservative
Sodium benzoate has a strong inhibitory effect on yeast and mold fungi, including aflatoxin-forming, inhibits the activity of enzymes in microbial cells responsible for redox reactions, as well as enzymes that break down fats and starch (the same effect sodium benzoate produces on the cells of the human body).
Due to its antibacterial properties sodium benzoate found application in pharmaceuticals and the production of cosmetics and hygiene products such as shampoos, gels, toothpastes. It is also used in the aviation industry to protect electroplated coatings and aluminum parts. Applicable sodium benzoate and in fireworks for sound effect.
Possible side effects
Sodium benzoate can damage an important region of DNA in mitochondria and cause severe DNA damage in general. There are many diseases that are associated with damage to this part of DNA - Parkinson's disease, cirrhosis of the liver and a number of neurodegenerative diseases.
Other
Most commonly food additive E-211 found in such products: mayonnaise, ketchup, margarine, jam, confectionery, canned fish and caviar, marmalade, fruit pastes, non-alcoholic beer and alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of 15% or less, soft drinks, meat products.
Sodium benzoate This is a salt obtained from the synthesis of benzoic acid. She is also called E-211. It is a food additive and a preservative. Visually, it is a white powder with a weak odor, or odorless at all.Sodium benzoate was created to replace salicylic acid. Now E-211 is added to various food products in order to extend their shelf life. Sodium benzoate perfectly inhibits the activity of molds and yeasts.
Harm
Sodium benzoate. Harm
E-211 is a very insidious food supplement because it accumulates in the body and is almost never excreted. The components that make up E-211 may be allergenic.
But not only an allergy can cause sodium benzoate, the harm of its properties is also due to:
- The ability to suppress all cells in the body
- Blocking the breakdown of fats, starches and their excretion
- Suppression of redox functions
- The ability to damage DNA
- The ability to develop cirrhosis of the liver
- Provoking the risk of developing Parkinson's disease
- Asthmatics
- Allergy sufferers
- People who have an aspirin intolerance
- To old people
- Children under 12 years old
- If you have glaucoma
- For pregnant women
Sodium benzoate becomes more hazardous in tandem with other substances. Among them are E-102, E-124, E-129. By forming compounds with these dyes, E-211 has a negative effect on the nervous system of children, as well as on their intelligence and behavior. Decrease, develop hyperactivity and even attention deficit disorder are all examples of how sodium benzoate acts on the body of children.
The harm of the preservative with constant use causes dizziness, nausea. And as a result of poisoning with this substance, anemia and blood cancer may develop. Scientists have identified the risk of genetic abnormalities in offspring, people who abuse sodium benzoate.
Sodium benzoate during pregnancy
The nutrition of a pregnant woman plays an important role in the health of a woman and her unborn child. In the position, it is recommended to include in the diet natural, simple foods that are well absorbed. Sodium benzoate is a complex artificial preservative. It is categorically contraindicated for pregnant women, it does not carry any benefit. And the harm from E-211 is colossal:
- Allergic reactions
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Delayed fetal development
- Child brain abnormalities
- Neurological disorders of the child
- Baby hyperactivity
During pregnancy, it is important to remember that the child does not yet have immunity, so he is defenseless when interacting with junk food. Sodium benzoate can severely undermine the child's nervous system and disrupt the process, the structure of the immune system.
Benefit
Benefits of sodium benzoate
In pharmacology, sodium benzoate is often used, for example, as an expectorant. The benefit of sodium benzoate is to improve the respiratory and vasomotor centers. But only specialized medications with precisely calculated proportions of this substance have this benefit.
Sodium benzoate also inhibits the development of molds and yeasts in food. Thanks to him, food retains its freshness and presentation longer. That is why it is most often used when importing exotic products.
However, no benefit has been identified for sodium benzoate as an additive in foods. On the contrary, E-211 only harms the body, and its content in food is permissible only in small quantities.
Sodium benzoate in cosmetics
The benefits of sodium benzoate in cosmetology are in relation to improving the preservation of cosmetics. Sodium benzoate does an excellent job of increasing the shelf life of products, as it prevents the growth of mold and various fungi.
Opened tubes of cosmetics containing E-211 are stored longer, because this preservative significantly slows down oxidative processes. That is why many companies use this chemical preservative in the production of cosmetics.
The benefits and harms of sodium benzoate in cosmetology are obvious - such cosmetics only have a negative effect on the body. It is allergenic and damages skin cells, preventing them from breathing.
Preservatives in cosmetology are an integral part. Their job is to protect cosmetic products from deterioration. This applies to both purchased cosmetics and homemade ones. In both cases, the body will undoubtedly "thank" for natural preservatives.
Natural preservatives exist, although they do their job less effectively than artificially created ones. For example, propolis essential oil can "prolong the life" of creams, shampoos and other cosmetics. And for example, tea tree oil will have an antimicrobial effect.
Sodium benzoate dosage
There is no benefit of sodium benzoate, and significant harm to the body is caused.
To minimize accidents associated with the use of E-211, Russia has introduced norms for its content in various categories of food:
In canned fish and caviar - no more than 2000 mg per 1 kg
In meat products - 400 mg per 1 kg
In sprat - 2600 mg per 1 kg
In margarine - 1000 mg per 1 kg
In jams and jelly sweets - 500 mg per 1 kg
In fruits and berries - 1000 mg per 1 kg
In alcohol - 200 mg per 1 kg
In juices and other soft drinks - 150 mg per 1 kg
Violations of these norms are increasingly revealed. The fact is that E-211 is able to improve the taste of food. Unscrupulous manufacturers use this quality to add flavor to already spoiled products and significantly exceed the dosage of sodium benzoate. Therefore, it is advisable to choose products from trusted manufacturers that have passed quality control.
Often getting acquainted with the composition of products purchased in the supermarket, you can see the E211 additive. What is hidden under this designation, what threatens its regular use? This and many other things will be discussed today.
Under the incomprehensible alphanumeric designation E211 is usually understood sodium benzoate (Sodium Benzoate), which is essentially the sodium salt of benzoic acid. It looks like a white powder, odorless. This food additive extends the shelf life of beverages and food, due to the fact that it is able to suppress the vital activity of molds and yeasts. In microbial cells, E211 inhibits the activity of enzymes responsible for redox reactions, as well as those enzymes that break down fats and starch.
Sodium benzoate is most commonly found in mayonnaise, ketchup, margarine, jam, confectionery, canned fish and caviar, marmalade, fruit pastes, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of less than 15%, meat products. This preservative is also included in some natural products, including in small dosages it is found in prunes, cranberries, cinnamon, cloves, apples. Due to its antibacterial properties, E211 is used in pharmaceuticals and in the production of cosmetics and hygiene products, including gels, shampoos and toothpastes.
Despite the fact that this preservative is not banned for use in Russia and Europe, it has been said for a long time about its negative effect on the body and not without reason.
When interacting with ascorbic acid (the very useful vitamin C) sodium benzoate forms benzene... According to the studies of the British scientist Peter Piper, this compound is capable of causing fatal damage to DNA in mitochondria, which can provoke the development of a number of serious diseases, including cirrhosis of the liver, neurodegenerative diseases, and even Parkinson's disease, and many others.
Side effects are possible with regular consumption of sodium benzoate. The worst thing is that nausea and vomiting are just "flowers", because often this additive can be the cause of the development of leukemia (blood cancer) and anemia (lack of hemoglobin in the blood).
Nowadays, there is often controversy over the fact that E211 causes hyperactivity in children.
In addition to the designated sodium benzoate, it can provoke an exacerbation of diseases such as urticaria, asthma.
Often provokes E211 and an allergic reaction.
Agree, dear visitors of our portal, E211 is not as harmless as many people think. Therefore, if you want to maintain health, youth and beauty for many years, then carefully study the composition of the products that you eat and minimize the consumption of all kinds of additives.
Brief information about food supplement E211 (sodium benzoate)
Appointment: preservative (benzoate)
The origin of the additive: synthetic (main ingredient - benzoic acid E210)
Allowed in Russia (EAEU Customs Union), European Union, Australia, New Zealand
Potentially dangerous. If the recommended daily intake is exceeded, it has a pronounced toxic effect on the liver and kidneys, and provokes the formation of cancerous tumors. Allergen. When interacting with vitamin C (E300), even within the recommended daily dose, it can turn into benzene - a dangerous carcinogen. It is suspected that sodium benzoate has a negative effect on the human nervous system. Deadly for felines.
E211 research continues to this day
E211 food additive names found in the Russian Federation:
- Sodium benzoate
- E-211
International synonyms for sorbic acid:
- Sodium benzoate
- E-211
- Benzoate of soda
- Benzoic acid sodium salt
General characteristics of the preservative E211
The code E211 "hides" a widespread and very effective preservative sodium benzoate, which is the sodium salt of benzoic acid (E210).
Sodium benzoate is not found in the wild, so it must be synthesized in large quantities from benzoic acid and sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate. By the way, benzoic acid (E210), although it is found in its natural form (in apples, cinnamon, lingonberries, etc.), is still mostly synthesized in laboratories for industrial purposes. So the preservative E211 is a completely and completely synthetic food additive.
Sodium benzoate was first synthesized as early as 1875. Posted by Hugo Fleck. The preservative sodium benzoate was developed with the aim of displacing salicylic acid from the market, which was already produced on an industrial scale. The new preservative was approved for use in the United States only in 1908 and has since been successfully used in many industrial sectors (including food). Well, salicylic acid, in turn, eventually ceased to be used as a food preservative.
Now the food additive E211 is used to suppress the activity of yeasts and molds in any food.
The mechanism of action of the preservative E211 is as follows:
Sodium benzoate enters the cell, as a result of which the pH of the intracellular space shifts to the acidic side (below 5). This leads to a significant slowdown in the anaerobic fermentation of starches and fats. As a result, pathogenic microorganisms simply have nothing to feed on, and they first stop developing, and then completely die.
It is noteworthy that sodium benzoate is used not only in the food industry, but also in the production of cosmetics, medicines, pyrotechnics, and is also one of the components of inhibited paper (it serves to protect aluminum parts and electroplated coatings).
E211 preservative. Effect on the body: harm and benefit
Today the preservative E211 is allowed in many countries of the world, including Russia, all states of the EAEU Customs Union, the European Union, Australia, the USA and New Zealand.
And this despite the fact that sodium benzoate has a very controversial effect on human health ...
So, for example, European researchers came to the conclusion that in combination with the dyes E102, E104, E110, E122, E124 and E129, the preservative E211 negatively affects the body of children. In this case, the harm of sodium benzoate manifests itself in a negative effect on the nervous system, intelligence and behavior of children (decreased IQ, increased manifestations of hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder).
Toxicity, mutagenicity and carcinogenicity of sodium benzoate... The impact on human health has hardly been studied. All serious studies of the preservative E211 have been carried out on mice, rats, cats and other mammals. And most of the conclusions were made precisely on the basis of these studies (the exception is the study of the binder of sodium benzoate and the dyes mentioned above).
If we talk about people, then it is reliably known that sodium benzoate has a negative effect on the body of asthmatics, allergy sufferers and those who are "lucky" to get aspirin intolerance at their disposal. The negative influence here means dermatitis, urticaria, dyspnea (in asthmatics) and other allergic reactions.
It is also known that the interaction of sodium benzoate and potassium benzoate with ascorbic acid (E300, vitamin C) produces benzene, a dangerous carcinogen. At the same time, heat, light and long-term storage accelerate the formation of benzene.
And, of course, taking sodium benzoate in the amount of several grams per 1 kg of human body weight leads to a pronounced toxic effect on the liver and kidneys, and also provokes the formation of cancerous tumors.
In addition, according to molecular biologist Peter W. Piper, the preservative sodium benzoate may well cause oxidative stress in epithelial cells of the gastrointestinal tract, damage cell DNA, and also be one of the causes of human neurodegenerative diseases. The scientist's fears are based on knowledge of the mechanism of E211 action on yeast and fungal cells, from which we actually protect ourselves with this preservative.
At the same time, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) considers the supplement E211 (Sodium benzoate) safe for human health, and the IPCS organization (International Program for Chemical Safety) in 2013 concluded that the average daily intake of sodium benzoate in the amount of 647-825 mg / kg human body weight has no discernible effect on health.
Moreover, sodium benzoate has been successfully used in the treatment of hyperammonemia and is also able to arrest the progression of Parkinson's disease in mice.
In general, so far there are more questions than answers. Maybe scientists used sodium benzoate of different purity and origin in their research?
Products that use the preservative E211 (sodium benzoate)
The preservative sodium benzoate (Sodium benzoate) is used in almost all types of long-term storage products:
- canned fish and meat and preserves
- canned caviar (here preservatives E200 and E211 are combined)
- fat-containing products (margarines, mayonnaises)
- ketchups and sauces (a couple often found here: sodium benzoate + potassium sorbate)
- sweet carbonated drinks
- fruit and berry products and drinks (juices, nectars, preserves, jams, jam)
- alcoholic drinks, non-alcoholic beer
- confectionery
- and other food
Finally
At the moment, scientists have accumulated a lot of information about the effect of the preservative E211 on the mammalian body. But what does this give us? What effect does the preservative E211 (sodium benzoate) have on human health? Does it cause irreparable harm or benefit our body? Should you avoid foods containing E211?
The answer to all these questions is the same: Sodium benzoate is still not well researched. Alas…
So stay alert and protect yourself from harmful food additives, and along with sodium benzoate!
Regarding preservatives, it is designated by the symbol E211 and has the formula C6H5COONa. As a benzoic acid salt, this white powder is odorless or may have a slight benzaldehyde odor. This substance was discovered by Hugo Fleck in 1875 and was intended to replace salicylic acid. It was approved for use in the United States in 1908.
Considering what this is, one cannot fail to note its strong depressing effects on yeast. It has an overwhelming effect on the activity of fungal cellular enzymes, which are responsible for redox reactions. Also, this substance acts on enzymes that break down starch and fats. It is found in small amounts in natural foods such as mustard and cloves, raisins, cinnamon, cranberries and apples.
As a food additive, this compound is allowed in Europe and Russia, but recently European researchers have been actively studying it, they have identified the negative effect of a substance such as sodium benzoate. The harm was discovered when it was combined with artificial colors. In these cases, this element influences the behavior of children and adults. It is recommended to exclude its combinations with such dyes as E102, 104, 110, 122, 124, 129.
It is used as a preservative in fish and meat products, mayonnaise, margarine, ketchup, fruit and berry products, and for the production of carbonated sweet drinks. Sodium benzoate can be harmful when found in foods that contain vitamin C. In these cases, it forms carcinogenic benzene in concentrations exceeding the maximum permissible levels.
It is used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. In medicine, it is used as an expectorant, which is part of combination drugs. It is also used in aviation, where it is used as the main component in the composition of inhibited paper that protects parts of electroplated and aluminum coatings. In pyrotechnics, it is found in rockets that emit a characteristic sound when launched.
Molecular biologist Professor Piper's research describes sodium benzoate (harm, mainly) as an element that affects mitochondria. This can be a trigger for Parkinson's disease and neurodegenerative diseases.
Numerous experiments performed on mammals have been carried out to study the effect of this substance on humans. Basically, experts agreed that this compound is relatively harmless to the human body. Sodium benzoate can cause harm in the form of a causative agent of allergic reactions, dermatitis and other minor side effects. It is not yet possible to completely exclude its effect at the genetic level due to insufficient research. In any case, it is necessary to adhere to the approved dosages, which are safe.
Another application has found this substance in medicine in the composition of the drug "Caffeine sodium benzoate". The indication for its use is a decrease in physical and mental performance, as well as increased drowsiness, headaches of vascular origin and migraine, moderate. It is also actively used in bodybuilding. This drug is used as a fat burner, in combination with other dietary supplements intended for bodybuilding.
This remedy should be taken carefully due to possible hypersensitivity to its components. You also need to know that the use of this medication in high doses can be the cause of anxiety disorders, organic diseases of the cardiovascular system, arterial hypertension, paroxysmal tachycardia, ventricular premature beats. It is not recommended to prescribe it to children under 12 years of age, as sleep disturbances are possible.