Carrageenanis a plant-based food ingredient.
It is made from a throw in of redseaweedcalledChondrus crispus.
Its use in the world’s food supply dates back at least 14,000 years.
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Carrageenan is a common food additive, mainly in dairy and processed foods.
While it has no health value, it is commonly used to thicken, gel, or suspend.
It also has value in other products like toothpaste, lotions, and pet foods.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved carrageenan for use in food.
However, some limited research has proposed a link to certain inflammatory health problems.
This article describes the debate about carrageenan and its uses in food.
It also explains what to know so you might decide whether it is safe for you to consume.
IBD is a chronic condition ofgut inflammationthat includesCrohn’s diseaseandulcerative colitis.
However, the controversy is based on the fact that the findings have not been tested on human models.
Is Carrageenan Vegan or Organic?
Any unprocessed plant-based food is consideredvegan.
Since carrageenan originates from a key in of red seaweed, it meets this criteria.
It is widely used in food as anemulsifierand stabilizer to keep ingredients from separating.
It is also used as a thickening agent.
Carrageenan is a stabilizing ingredient in liquid infant formula to keep it from separating.
Carrageenan can also significantly reduce fat and cholesterol content in food.
and as a food source dating to about 400 B.C.
on the British Isles (made up of the modern-day United Kingdom, Ireland, and surrounding islands).
Should You Avoid Foods With Carrageenan?
Physical reactions to carrageenan vary.
Your reaction depends on factors related to the health of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
These factors include gastric activity, mucosal integrity, and previous damage.
Research indicates that different types of diets can impact the management of IBD.
These diets typically involve avoiding dairy products and processed foods (both common sources of carrageenan).
Eliminating carrageenan from your diet is not likely to cause harm because it does not have nutritional value.
However, avoiding certain food groups may impact other aspects of your well-being based on your general health.
Carrageenan and Inflammation: How Can You Tell?
The potential negative effects of carrageenan include aggravating intestinal inflammation.
However, the extent to which carrageenan affects intestinal inflammation is unclear.
it’s possible for you to determine which products contain carrageenan by reading ingredient labels.
Any products that contain carrageenan are legally required to include it in their ingredient list.
Summary
Carrageenan is a natural, plant-based product.
While it has been used in folk medicine and cooking for centuries, its value has been argued.
Research in animal and lab studies ties carrageenan to inflammation and IBD.
However, without research from human studies, the FDA and others maintain that it is safe to consume.
Most people do not seem to have a problem with carrageenan.
If you have symptoms of IBD, consult your healthcare provider.
You may benefit from taking this substance out of your diet to find out if your symptoms improve.
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