This is the third post in my series “What is in Your Food?” You can check out about xanthum gum and guar gum if you missed the first two posts.
In this post, I will share about carrageenan which is another thickening agent and stabilizer used commonly in processed foods. It is often used as a substitute for fat in non- and low-fat foods, stabilizer in dairy replacements products, and a vegan alternative to gelatin. It can also be found in canned pet food, cosmetics, and toothpaste.
So where do we get carrageenan? Carrageenan comes from red algae or seaweed. It has been used for centuries for its gelling properties. It is the refined, isolated carrageenan found in processed foods that has raised concerns with both the general public and scientists.
Carrageenan is processed in two different ways. The first method involves processing with an acid; this makes degraded carrageenan and is called poligeenan. This form has significant health warnings and is not safe to eat as it can cause tumors, ulcers, and may trigger colon cancer.
Food-grade carrageenan is processed with alkaline substances and has been considered generally safe for consumption according to the FDA.
So where specifically will we find carrageenan?
- Non-food products include cosmetics, pesticides, toothpaste, room deodorizers, laxatives, cough medicines, and other pharmaceuticals.
- Dairy: Whipped cream, chocolate milk, ice cream, sour cream, cottage cheese, and children’s squeezable yogurt products.
- Dairy Alternatives: Soy milk, almond milk, hemp milk, coconut milk, and soy-based puddings/desserts.
- Meats: Sliced turkey, prepared chicken, and deli meats.
- Prepared Foods: Canned soups and broths, microwavable diners, and frozen pizzas.
- Other: Nutritional and diet drinks, some supplements, and chewable vitamins. The US allows it in infant formula, but Europe does not.
This list is just some of the foods that can contain carrageenan. Due to some of the questions of its safety, it is required to be listed on the ingredient list if in any food product.
So let’s look at some of the possible side effects of carrageenan. A 2017 review indicated the possibility that food-grade carrageenan can cause inflammation, bloating, bowel disorders, may contribute to ulcers, glucose intolerance, colon cancer, food allergies, and irritable bowel disease. This could be possible because stomach acid may react with carrageenan and become the toxic form, poligeenan.
There hasn’t been a lot of human studies to reference, but many animal studies have been done. The challenge is that results vary greatly depending on the species of animal. In some studies for testing anti-inflammatory pharmaceuticals, carrageenan is used to produce inflammation in lab animals for this testing. This is a big red flag for me as inflammation is the cause of many diseases.
So the question remains, should we avoid this food additive? As I personally am working very hard to reduce inflammation in my body, I choose not to eat much processed food. If you have any digestive challenges or trying to reduce inflammation, it might be helpful to avoid this additive to see if your system does better without it. Removing food items from your diet for at least a couple of weeks is usually (but sometimes requires more time) enough time to determine if the food is a challenge for your system.
I would encourage you to read the labels on your foods, check out how many that may have this additive. Will you try to avoid this additive?
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing,
Heather
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