Food supplement E322 or lecithin was discovered in the late 19th century. It was found in egg yolk.
E322 is a substance that the human body uses as fuel and material through which cells are formed.
Many people are afraid of the letter E in the composition of products and wonder whether the food supplement E322 is dangerous or not. Whether lecithin is harmful to the body, where it is used, and in what products it is contained, is considered in this article.
Natural Sources of Lecithin
Lecithin has a color similar to protein. It usually takes the form of a powder or liquid.
It can be found in the following products:
- pumpkin and sunflower seeds;
- liver;
- nuts
- oils (creamy and vegetable);
- milk;
- egg yolk.
The main purpose of E322
Two main roles of lecithin can be distinguished:
- antioxidant - helps to extend the shelf life of the product;
- emulsifier - helps mix foods that do not mix under normal conditions (water and fat).
Lecithin has an excellent function - to reduce the surface tension of liquids that do not mix. It is even possible for him to combine liquid and solid into a single whole (in this case, he becomes a dispersing substance). If solids are mixed, then E322 prevents them from sticking to each other.
As an emulsifier, lecithin can be used not only for the manufacture of food products. It is also used with great success to create cosmetics, inks, paints, fertilizers and explosives.
What foods use E322?
The food industry is the main industry where this supplement is used. And this is natural, because, as mentioned above, lecithin acts as an antioxidant and significantly increases the shelf life of the product.
E322 can be found in the following foods:
- ice cream;
- bread and bakery products (makes the dough plastic);
- confectionery (cakes, cakes, chocolate);
- milk powder, cocoa (makes them more soluble);
- condensed milk;
- margarine;
- pasta (except hard varieties);
- vegetable oils (refined).
Is it worth eating lecithin products?
Of course it's worth it. After all, only the positive effect of food supplement E322 has on the human body. A lack of lecithin in the human body can negatively affect his health.
- The first thing the nervous system begins to suffer. A person will feel constant tiredness, he will be chased by insomnia, his mood will constantly change, and his attention will decrease significantly.
- A lack of lecithin negatively affects the digestive system. A person begins to worry about constant indigestion, diarrhea, bloating.
- High blood pressure is also a consequence of a lack of lecithin.
Is food supplement E322 dangerous or not? No, because lecithin is not GMO! This is an important element that is necessary for the normal functioning of the body.
The benefits of lecithin
Lecithin belongs to class 4 - it is almost not dangerous.
The effect on the human body of the food supplement E322 is extremely positive. Almost half of the liver consists of this substance. Lecithin is also found in the cells that surround the spinal cord and brain. It is simply necessary for the normal functioning of the nervous system.
Food supplement E322 performs the following functions in the human body:
- Maintaining normal liver function. Lecithin prevents the appearance of various diseases: cirrhosis, hepatitis, obesity, intoxication.
- Activation of the production of bile.
- Helps the body eliminate toxins.
- Lecithin is an excellent antioxidant, it helps to cleanse the human body of all substances that interfere with its normal functioning.
- It removes cholesterol, reducing its level by 15%.
- Improves blood circulation.
- Improves fat metabolism.
- Increases stress resistance and reduces fatigue.
- Helps to better absorb vitamins E, A, K and D.
Those who follow their figure should also pay attention to this dietary supplement. Carefully study the composition: if there is E322 and there are no harmful products, then you can safely eat this food. The supplement helps to reduce weight, because it improves metabolism!
Harmful lecithin and contraindications
The food supplement E322 does not bring harm to the human body. The only exceptions are people who are allergic to egg yolk.
E322 is the strongest allergen! If you ignore this fact, then you can cause harm to your health. Who should limit or minimize the use of lecithin:
- pregnant women;
- nursing mothers;
- children
- people allergic to yolk.
It is necessary to monitor the body's reaction to this dietary supplement. If you observe symptoms such as nausea, frequent dizziness and high salivation, be sure to reduce the use of food supplement E322. If symptoms persist, consult a doctor.
Industrial E322 should be treated with extreme caution. It is obtained from soy. Some manufacturers, trying to save money, use raw materials with GMOs, and this can adversely affect human health.
The use of lecithin in other industries: medicine
Lecithin favorably affects the body as a whole, but this is not its only advantage. E322 is widely used in medicine and helps to alleviate the symptoms of certain diseases:
- Gastritis, ulcers and colitis. Food supplement E322 protects the gastric mucosa from harmful components.
- Psoriasis and dermatitis. Lecithin significantly alleviates the condition of a patient who has skin diseases.
- Uterine fibromatosis, breast disease and mastopathy. Regular intake of lecithin prevents the formation of tumors in the genitals. E322 increases libido.
- Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. E322 improves brain activity.
- Lecithin lowers blood sugar.
Cosmetic industry
Lecithin is simply indispensable in the cosmetics industry. Reviews confirm that this substance is often included in skin care, hair and makeup products.
Emulsifier and antioxidant lecithin:
- gives the skin elasticity and saturates it;
- cares for problem skin and relieves inflammation;
- prevents aging;
- improves hair condition;
- normalizes the work of the sebaceous glands.
Other industries
Properties E322 come in handy in other industrial sectors:
- Production of paints, solvents.
- Ink manufacture.
- Fertilizer production.
- Creation of vinyl coatings.
- The manufacture of explosives.
Where is E322 made?
Russian manufacturers are leading in the production of lecithin. According to reviews, high-quality E322, which does not contain GMOs, is produced in the following cities:
- Kaliningrad region, the city of Svetly;
- Amur Region, the city of Blagoveshchensk;
- in the Krasnodar Territory;
- St. Petersburg;
- Moscow.
The following countries also produce lecithin:
- Japan;
- America;
- Netherlands.
It creates lecithin exclusively from egg yolk. E322 is produced for both food and industrial purposes.
But still, if lecithin is so useful, why do many people have a negative attitude to this food supplement and try to avoid it? It's all about lecithin quality. It is not uncommon that the manufacturer dishonestly creates the E322 and uses it for the manufacture of GMOs. According to reviews, it is such a substance that most often adversely affects the body.
Currently, there is a control over the raw materials produced, so low-quality lecithin can be found less and less. If the manufacturer still used GMOs, then he should indicate this on the packaging of the manufactured goods.
It is not recommended to completely abandon E322, it is only necessary to select those manufacturers who are conscientious in their work and produce quality products.