Sodium Benzoate: Friend Or Foe Of Keto Diets?

Sodium benzoate is a food additive that is commonly used to preserve food and beverages and add flavour. It is also added to some medications and cosmetics. While some claim that this additive is harmless, others link it to cancer and health problems such as ADHD, allergies, and oxidative stress. This is because sodium benzoate can react with the ascorbic acid present in some beverages to form benzene, which has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen. However, studies suggest that the amount of benzene formed is too low to pose a meaningful risk. So, is sodium benzoate bad for keto?

Sodium benzoate is a preservative in carbonated drinks, jams, salad dressings, and more

Sodium benzoate is a preservative commonly added to carbonated drinks, jams, salad dressings, margarine, sauces, marmalades, gelatin, liqueurs, beers, fruit juices, pickles, jelly, soy sauce, and other condiments. It is also used in some medications and cosmetics.

Sodium benzoate is an odourless, crystalline powder made by combining benzoic acid and sodium hydroxide. Benzoic acid is a good preservative on its own, but combining it with sodium hydroxide helps it dissolve in products. It is also known as benzoic acid and is used as an antimicrobial agent to delay the spoilage of food by microorganisms.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has listed sodium benzoate among "generally regarded as safe" (GRAS) compounds, as long as it falls below the levels designated as safe for consumption—a concentration of up to 0.1%. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also set an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 0–2.27 mg per pound (0–5 mg per kg) of body weight.

However, some people claim that this man-made additive is linked to cancer and other health problems. Studies have shown that sodium benzoate can convert to benzene, a known carcinogen, especially when combined with ascorbic acid, which is also used as a preservative in beverages. In 2005, the FDA found that 10 out of 200 sodas and other fruit drinks tested contained more than 5 parts per billion (ppb) of benzene, which is the limit for safe drinking water set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Other potential health concerns related to sodium benzoate include inflammation, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), appetite control, oxidative stress, and allergies. Studies have found a correlation between the intake of sodium benzoate and ADHD symptoms in college students. It is also believed to influence neurotransmission and cognitive functioning.

In conclusion, while sodium benzoate is generally regarded as safe by the FDA and is widely used as a preservative, there are ongoing debates and concerns about its potential health risks, particularly its link to cancer and other health issues.

It is deemed safe by the FDA, but some studies suggest it may be carcinogenic

Sodium benzoate is a food additive that is commonly used to preserve food and beverages and add flavour. It is also added to some medications and cosmetics. The compound is created by combining benzoic acid and sodium hydroxide. Benzoic acid is a good preservative on its own, but combining it with sodium hydroxide helps it dissolve in products.

Sodium benzoate is deemed safe by the FDA, which allows for a small concentration in foods and beverages. It is listed among the ""generally regarded as safe" (GRAS) compounds, as long as it falls below 0.1% concentration by weight. The WHO has also set an acceptable daily intake (ADI) level for sodium benzoate to 0-2.27 mg per pound (0-5 mg per kg) of body weight.

However, some studies suggest that sodium benzoate may be carcinogenic. When benzoates in food degrade, they can form benzene, a known carcinogen. This process can be accelerated by the presence of ascorbic acid, another type of preservative commonly used in beverages. This is a concern as many soft drinks use both ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate to maintain shelf life. In 2005, the FDA found that 10 out of 200 sodas and other fruit drinks tested contained more than 5 parts per billion (ppb) of benzene, which is the limit for safe drinking water set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Additionally, in vitro studies have pointed to the potential of sodium benzoate to damage DNA at the chromosome level, which could lead to immune challenges and diseases like cancer. Studies have also linked sodium benzoate to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and oxidative stress.

Sodium benzoate may form benzene, a known carcinogen, when combined with ascorbic acid

Sodium benzoate, also known as benzoate of soda, is a sodium salt of benzoic acid. It is widely used as a preservative in food and beverages, as well as in medicines and cosmetics. Sodium benzoate is also used in fireworks.

When combined with ascorbic acid (vitamin C), sodium benzoate may form benzene, a known carcinogen. This reaction can be influenced by exposure to heat and light. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified benzene as a Group 1 carcinogen, indicating that it is a cancer-causing compound.

The potential health risks associated with benzene formation have led to concerns about the use of sodium benzoate in certain products, particularly soft drinks and fruit juices. However, studies suggest that the amount of benzene formed through the combination of sodium benzoate and ascorbic acid in these beverages is typically too low to pose a significant risk to human health.

Regulatory authorities, such as the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the beverage industry, have taken steps to minimize benzene formation. Manufacturers have reformulated products, and guidelines have been developed to help reduce benzene levels. These efforts have resulted in benzene levels in soft drinks and other beverages that are generally considered safe for consumption.

Sodium benzoate has been linked to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Sodium benzoate is a food additive that is commonly used to preserve food and beverages and add flavour. It is also known as benzoic acid and is used as an antimicrobial agent to delay the spoilage of food by microorganisms. It is commonly used in acidic foods like jams, fruit juices, carbonated drinks, and vinegars. While some claim that this additive is harmless, others link it to cancer and other health problems.

Another study by Bateman et al. found that when synthetic food dyes were combined with the preservative sodium benzoate, there was an increase in hyperactivity in 3-year-old children. This combination of synthetic food dyes and sodium benzoate is often found in carbonated drinks, salad dressings, and condiments.

While these studies suggest a link between sodium benzoate and ADHD, more research is needed to confirm this connection. It is important to note that sodium benzoate is generally regarded as safe by the FDA, and it has known uses in the treatment of medical conditions such as urea disorders, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, early-stage Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease.

It is also used in medicines, cosmetics, and industrial products

Sodium benzoate is a versatile chemical with applications in the medicine, cosmetics, and industrial sectors.

In medicine, sodium benzoate is used as a preservative in over-the-counter and prescription drugs, particularly in liquid medicines like cough syrup. It can also be used as a lubricant in pill manufacturing, smoothing and shaping tablets so that they break down rapidly after ingestion. Additionally, larger amounts of sodium benzoate may be prescribed to treat elevated blood ammonia levels, which can be dangerous in certain medical conditions.

In cosmetics, sodium benzoate acts as a preservative and anti-corrosive agent in skincare, hair care, and oral care products, including moisturisers, serums, sunscreens, shampoos, and mouthwash. It is also used in baby wipes and toothpaste, where it inhibits the growth of microbes.

In industrial applications, sodium benzoate is used to deter corrosion, such as in coolants for car engines. It can also be used as a stabiliser in photo processing and to improve the strength of some plastics.

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