This Common Food Preservative May Not Be as Harmless as We Thought

A common preservative used in food products from beer to sausages to cheese has the potential to interact with the human gut microbiome in unexpected and perhaps damaging ways, according to a new study.

ScienceAlert
Common food preservative has unexpected effects on the gut microbiome

Food manufacturers often add preservatives to food products to keep them fresh. The purpose of these preservatives is to kill microbes that could break down and otherwise spoil the food. Common additives like sugar, salt, vinegar and alcohol have been used as preservatives for centuries, but modern-day food labels now reveal more unfamiliar ingredients such as sodium benzoate, calcium propionate, and potassium sorbate.

Phys.org
Common food preservative has unexpected effects on the gut microbiome

Food manufacturers often add preservatives to food products to keep them fresh. The purpose of these preservatives is to kill microbes that could break down and otherwise spoil the food. Common additives like sugar, salt, vinegar and alcohol have been used as preservatives for centuries, but modern-day food labels now reveal more unfamiliar ingredients such as sodium benzoate, calcium propionate, and potassium sorbate.

Phys.org

I got to explain #chelating agents to my family, specifically about CaNa₂EDTA

#chemistry #chelation #calcium #sodium #EDTA #preservative