A cake-basket with a pink flower on top, in any case, does not apply to healthy food. And if we already know about the dangers of sugar in it, then we will try to figure out whether food colorings in its decoration are harmful in this article.
It’s worth mentioning right away that it would be wrong to unequivocally call a whole group of substances harmful or beneficial. Living in a black and white world is easier, but in reality there are both food colorings that are harmful to health and absolutely neutral ones. Sometimes it is possible to tint food even with very useful substances - vitamins, for example.
Hazardous food dyes: for whom in the first place?
Most truly dangerous food colorings are banned from food use. Under the ban were substances, disputes about the dangers of which did not arise. For example, orange alpha-naphthol, which is a carcinogen and has not been used since 1978. But there are still many dyes on the lists that have yet to prove their complete safety, and I would not want to become a guinea pig for these experiments.
For example, azo dyes, commonly used because of their cheapness, are questionable components of our food. On the one hand, they are very bright and sometimes one thousandth of a gram is enough to paint over a whole kilogram of product. At the same time, given their toxicity, they can be poisoned only consciously and only with access to a pure substance - hardly anyone is able to drink about 100 liters of tarragon in one sitting. On the other hand, once in the body, they are broken down, and the behavior of the products of this decay has not been fully studied for all compounds.
At the same time, dyes of the carotenoid group are usually perceived with favor - after all, in the body they turn into vitamin A. The word “vitamin” already has a positive color for us. But if you think about it, then vitamins can be poisoned, in particular, fat-soluble ones that accumulate in the body. That is why you need to be careful with carotenoids - especially if you are taking vitamin complexes containing vitamin A or beta-carotene, and if fish oil or liver is often found in the diet.
And the white dye titanium dioxide is dangerous in its own way. It is often added to powdered sugar so that the topping of confectionery is snow-white. But it turns out that while non-toxic when taken orally, this powder is harmful when inhaled. And this harm is not due to the toxicity of the substance itself, but to the size of the powder particles. Safe for most of us, erythrosin can be detrimental to the health of people with a diseased thyroid gland. Upon detailed analysis, it turns out that most of the dyes used can cause problems in especially sensitive people. Cases of such reactions are extremely rare, but in order to avoid unpleasant and even rare surprises, the composition of the products should be carefully studied.
Azo dyes: the cause of allergies and hyperactivity in children
Azo dyes are a group of synthetic dyes derived from petroleum products. Not all of them are food - among them there are those with which fabrics are dyed. Nevertheless, a whole list of them was included in the list food additives- tartrazine, azorubine, yellow sunset and others. Part of this family was banned from food use very soon. It turned out that, being in themselves neutral and harmless, they decomposed into toxic substances in the body and caused poisoning, mutations, or even neoplasms - not a dye, but something like a Trojan horse. Those that are still allowed to be added to food are under close scrutiny. Studies are being carried out one after another, but the results are very contradictory.
For example, it is known that there is a link between azo dyes and an allergic reaction. A logical question is how can a non-protein substance cause the body to trigger an allergy? In fact, azo dyes themselves are not allergens. But they increase the manifestations of allergic reactions that were in the body before they appeared.
So if you treat a baby with allergies to candies tinted with tartrazine, expect the baby's allergy symptoms to increase. A similar effect of azo dyes can be observed in relation to asthma - use can provoke an attack. They are especially dangerous by increasing allergies to drugs, so do not be too lazy to check what kind of dye children's vitamins or cough syrup are tinted with.
Another problem hovering around azo dyes is children's hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder. The ability of dyes to turn an ordinary baby into a hyperactive monster began to be tested back in the 70s, but so far nothing has been proven. The fact is that the studies were based on parental observations, which are always a little subjective. To prove safety for children, however, also failed. Therefore, the most reasonable solution in this situation would be to refuse products with azo dyes, especially when it comes to children. Even if you do not remember all their numbers and names, they are easy to identify by their very bright colors. Avoiding azo dyes in combination with the preservative sodium benzoate should be like fire, as studies show an increase in their effect in the company with it. You will most often find this combination in sweet soda. Eliminating it from your diet won't hurt. healthy diet anyway.
Let's answer the question together “what attracts us to food?”. First of all, of course, this taste, but also important appearance products. Modern technologies the manufacture of many products to make them more attractive, appetizing and marketable include the addition of food coloring. Products are certainly becoming more attractive and appetizing, and, how is the benefit?
Is it really so harmless to human body foods that contain food coloring?
Or, is it better to replace the criterion of appearance with the criterion of utility?
So, about food coloring in foods...
natural dyes
Before the advent chemical production our ancestors gave an appetizing look to products with the help of natural natural dyes. It could be juice of fruits and berries, vegetables, leaves and roots of plants. The composition of such natural dyes, in addition to coloring pigments, also contained organic acids, vitamins, useful material and fragrances. Such natural dyes and today are considered absolutely harmless to human health.
But, here's the problem, the color range of such dyes of natural origin was significantly limited and if you wanted to get poisonous green color, natural substances could not provide it to you. Besides, the durability of such a natural food coloring left much to be desired, when released into the aquatic environment, under the influence of steam, the color fastness lost its original appearance, and the product no longer had such an attractive appearance. It was then that humanity decided to go further and discovered artificial food coloring based on organic compounds that do not exist in nature. What is remarkable no benefit, or at least nutritional value for the human body, they have absolutely no, but their harm - this question remains open.
Synthetic chemical food colorings
To date, in Food Industry such artificial dyes are marked accordingly under the code starting from E100 and ending with the code E 199.
Despite the widespread use of such synthetic dyes in the food industry, medicine and science have proven that they are harmful to our health. But, such dyes continue to be present in those products that we use daily.
For example, in Russia and some other countries, The following food colorings are not allowed:
E - 102, 103, 107,110,120, 121, 123,124,125,153,154,155,160 (a), 160 (e), 160 (f), 166.173, 174, 175,180, 182.It is forbidden to use in the food industry the use of E-121,123.
Most dangerous food dyes are: E-102,110,122,123,124,127,151.
The presence of such food colorings in the composition of the product should alert you and make it still put aside. Health is more valuable!
Researchers from the UK conducted research, the results of which showed that the use of food dyes such as E-102, 104,110,122,124,129 causes the following complications in adults and children:
- increased excitability of the nervous system,
- memory and attention disorders,
- uncontrollable mood swings
- allergic reactions,
- dysbacteriosis.
Don't you think that these symptoms are too expensive a price to pay for a bright color and an appetizing look?
That benefits in synthetic dyes, as in preservatives and other food additives (read more about this in an article on our website) there is none, we figured it out. That's why:
- When choosing products, pay attention not only to their appearance, but also to the composition.
- An unnatural, bright color indicates that the dyes in this product of chemical origin are present in excess.
- Avoid giving children foods containing these harmful food colorings.
Shevtsova Olga
If the product you are buying has a bright color, it is clear sign the fact that a dye has been added to it (in most cases, artificial, since natural ones are expensive). Such a substance can be harmful to health (especially for children). The president spoke about the dangers of dyes public organization"Research Center for Independent Consumer Expertise "Test" Valentin Bezrukiy.
Europe warns
In the EU countries, food colors E110, E122, E102, E124, E104 and E129 are recognized. This is because eating foods that contain them can cause hyperactivity in children. In Europe, they are already going to pass legislation banning the use of such dyes in the manufacture of products for baby food. In the meantime, there is no such law, warning labels are placed on products: "May have a negative impact on the activity and attention of children." Ukrainian manufacturers do not do this yet, so consumers should carefully read the label and refuse to buy such a product.
Who else is dangerous dyes
E110 (Yellow sunset) - especially contraindicated in people with aspirin intolerance. This additive can also provoke skin rashes, vomiting, runny nose, indigestion, even swelling of the kidneys. Strictly prohibited for allergy sufferers.
E122 (Carmoisine), contraindicated in asthmatics. Many countries have already abandoned its use in food products.
E102 (Tartrazine): products containing it are contraindicated for people with any chronic diseases, especially for patients with bronchial asthma and various types allergies. According to some foreign studies, E102 can contribute to the development of cancer.
E124 (Crimson4R) is a carcinogen. Can trigger asthma attacks. Causes severe allergic reactions up to anaphylactic shock.
E104 (Yellow quinoline) - in asthmatics it causes so much severe cases suffocation, that they are difficult to stop even in a medical facility.
E129 (Charming Red) - is contraindicated in people sensitive to aspirin.
Be careful!
The Test Center of Expertise has compiled a list of sweets that contain harmful dyes. These are the following products:
Waffles with strawberry flavor Bravissimo (confectionery factory "Kviten", Dnepropetrovsk) - Е129
Biscuit cake "Rozalini Drunk Cherry" (confectionery factory Yarich, Lviv region) - E102 and E124
Menthoplus duo lollipops with cherry flavor, made in Argentina - E110 and E129
Jelly "Pineapple" brand "Eco", produced in Ukraine - E102 and E122
Children's dragees M & Ms maxi of the company "Mars", produced in Russia - 6 dangerous dyes at once
Jelly "Pineapple" brand "Premiya", produced in Ukraine - E102
Non-alcoholic drink "Tarhun" (brand "Drinks from Chernogolovka", manufacturer "Aqualife"), produced in Russia - E102
Non-alcoholic drink "Tarhun" (brand "Bon Boisson", manufacturer "Malbi"), produced in Ukraine - E102
Combined cake "Apricot charіvniy" (manufacturer "Vatutinsky bakery") - Е110
Cake "Premium Bird's Milk" (manufacturer "Fozzy-Food"), produced in Ukraine - E124
Non-alcoholic drink "Breeze Multifruit" (producer "Erlan"), produced in Ukraine - E102, E110 and E124
Orbit Professional mints (forest berries), Wrigley, made in Russia - E129
Chewing gum Hubba bubba (strawberry). Manufacturer Wrigley, made in Russia - E129
Cakes "French (cherry)" (manufacturer BKK), produced in Ukraine - E124
Marshmallow white-pink (Kharkov confectionery factory), produced in Ukraine - E122
BisKonti mini-cake (Konti brand), produced in Ukraine - Е110
Croissant with cherry filling (Dolce Vita brand), produced in Ukraine - Е122
Jelly sweets "Zheleshka" with cherry (orange) flavor (ABK brand), produced in Ukraine - E124 (E 110
Cake "Kyiv" (manufacturer BKK), produced in Ukraine - E102 and E124
MilkyWay chocolate bar (Mars company), produced in Russia - Е129
Dragee "Sea pebbles" brand "Full bowl", produced in Ukraine - E102 and E122
Juice drink "Sicilian red orange", brand "Sandora", produced in Ukraine - E129
Jelly candy "Crocodile", made in Latvia - E110, E122
Raw-smoked sausage "Parma khmizok" (manufacturer "Tulchinmyaso"), produced in Ukraine - E124
Cake "Space" (manufacturer BKK), produced in Ukraine - E102 and E124
Cake "Rolled in chocolate" (manufacturer BKK), produced in Ukraine - Е102
Non-alcoholic drink "Tarhun" (brand "Rosinka", manufacturer "Rosinka"), produced in Ukraine - E102
Non-alcoholic drink Schweppes ("Pryana Zhuravlina") (Coca-Cola company), produced in Ukraine - E129
Non-alcoholic drink "Tarhun" (brand "Biola", manufacturer "Orlan"), produced in Ukraine - E102
Non-alcoholic drink with lime flavor (brand "Obolon", manufacturer "Obolon"), produced in Ukraine - E102
Marmalade "Orange and lemon slices" brand "Full bowl", produced in Ukraine - E102 and E110
Children's dragees M & Ms of the Mars company, produced in Russia - 5 dangerous dyes at once
Sweets "Duchess" brand "Full Cup", produced in Ukraine - E102
Children's dragees M&Ms with peanuts of the company "Mars", produced in Russia - 6 dangerous dyes at once
Candies "Barberry" brand "Full Cup", produced in Ukraine - E122
Sweets "Goose paws" brand "Full Cup", produced in Ukraine - E129
Roll stuffed "strawberry" 7 days (Chipita brand), made in Russia - Е124
Juice drink "Sicilian red orange", brand "Jaffa", produced in Ukraine - E129
Cookies "Fruitberry" with strawberry flavor (AVK brand), produced in Ukraine - Е122
Marmalade for diabetic patients "Rozmay", produced in Ukraine - E102, E122, E124
Cookies "Fruktberry" with cherry flavor (ABK brand), produced in Ukraine - Е122
Non-alcoholic juice drink Fanta, Coca-Cola, produced in Ukraine - E104
Since ancient times, people have been trying to diversify their table, coming up with new recipes, mastering new cooking technologies, and looking for new tastes. But not always delicious food have an attractive appearance. But it is very important that food brings not only satiety to the body, but also pleases the eye. Decorating ready-made culinary masterpieces is not so difficult, it is enough to show maximum imagination and minimum costs. Food colorings- that wand is a lifesaver with which you can turn any dish into an artist's canvas. All food colorings can be divided into two categories: natural (natural) and chemical. Natural dyes can be obtained from the juice of berries, fruits, vegetables, leaves and roots of plants. The color range of natural dyes is very small, and sometimes, housewives are just too lazy to mess around in search of the right shades. Food colorings, which are obtained by chemical cultivation, come to the rescue. The range of application of food colorings on an industrial scale is very large. Dyes are used in the production of sweet desserts, sausages, drinks, dairy products and more. Widely used in cosmetology and pharmacy.
Benefits of food coloring
The use of the dye depends, first of all, on the history of its production. If it is a food coloring obtained by extracting coloring substances from natural products, then such a coloring will have useful properties these same products. For example, a dye containing betanin (found in beets) will contain antioxidants. There is absolutely no benefit from chemical dyes.
Harm and contraindications
Food coloring (chemical) origin can cause significant harm to the body. The constant consumption of food dyes can cause a number of serious disorders in the human body: a disorder of the nervous and digestive system, sleep disturbance and concentration, allergic reactions. Some dyes are prohibited for human consumption, but unscrupulous manufacturers use them in their production. Such dyes can cause changes at the cellular level. Absolutely all people, regardless of age, should try to eat food chemical dyes as little as possible, give preference to natural products.
