Who doesn’t know the sweet vanilla smell ?! It is present in most confectionery products as a flavor enhancer. Is vanillin familiar from childhood so harmless? Let's get it right.
Natural and synthetic vanillin
Before discussing the benefits and harms of vanillin for the body, it is worth finding out what its types are. It’s worth mentioning that there are actually two types of this product:
- Natural vanillin - made from pods of fragrant liana belonging to the orchid family. The main supplier of natural vanilla is Madagascar. And its share is less than 5% of the total amount of vanillin produced in the world.
- Synthetic vanillin - is produced by synthesis from various raw materials - clove oil, the remnants of the paper industry, from rice bran and the largest volumes from petrochemical materials.
Natural vanillin practically does not harm human health and is very expensively valued, therefore, we will take a closer look at the effect of a synthetic analogue on the body.
Common forms of vanillin. Crystalline form
It has a smell that is almost indistinguishable from natural vanilla, is not afraid of thermal effects, has a long storage period and retains its properties when heated to 250 degrees. Crystal vanillin is in demand in the confectionery industry, especially for the manufacture of ice cream. The crystals dissolve perfectly in alcohol already at 20 ° C, and in water at a temperature of 75 ° C.
Powder form
In fact, it is vanillin powder with various impurities based on varieties of glucose (dextrose, lactose, etc.). The powder, in comparison with crystalline vanillin, has the finest structure and is widely used in the manufacture of chocolate products. Even at room temperature, the fragrance has a pronounced odor, it dissolves well in water.
Liquid form
This form is used when dissolved vanilla is used, for example, in beverages. The liquid is created from a crystalline base dissolved in a variety of carriers (ethyl alcohol, triacetate, propylene glycol). The main indicators of the liquid form are the temperature regime of the carrier and the percentage of vanillin. The water-soluble propylene glycol carrier dissolves at 180 degrees, therefore, liquid vanillin on this basis is characterized by increased heat resistance and is usually used for the production of dairy products, confectionery and various drinks.
The benefits and harms of crystalline, powdery and liquid vanillin will be discussed later.
What is vanillin good for?
The popularity of the aromatic additive was given by a sweetish vanilla aroma. Therefore, the beneficial effect of vanillin is more often associated with the effect of vanilla odor on the body. It has a good calming effect on the nervous system, effectively reduces irritability and anxiety.
The use of any cosmetic product with the addition of a small amount of vanilla can help relieve tension, relax, and achieve a good calm sleep. When applied to the skin or hair, vanilla aroma will remain with you for the whole day.
Doctors recommend using the smell of vanillin to lower blood pressure, you can relieve muscle cramps and the negative effects of nerve attacks. Odor stimulates digestion.
I would like to add about the positive effects on humans when using natural vanillin:
- contains antioxidants that prevent old age and maintain a beautiful appearance;
- stimulates the activity of the brain, improves concentration and memory, has a beneficial effect on creative abilities;
- It has a powerful anticarcinogenic effect, prevents the formation of malignant tumors;
- enhances the therapeutic effect on the body with arthrosis, arthritis;
- strengthens the immune system, helps the person recover quickly after infectious and inflammatory diseases.
What harm can the use of vanillin cause?
It will be about synthetic vanilla, since a natural product has virtually no side effects on human health.
Like any artificially synthesized substance, vanillin is harmful to the human body.
In some variants of synthesis, coumarin is used - a carcinogen of a high degree of toxicity. It is proven that it negatively affects the liver.
But vanillin flavoring, the benefit and harm of which we are studying, is used in such small doses that it is difficult to prove the actual harm from the use of vanillin. In addition to an allergic reaction to a flavoring or any component in its production. This can manifest as irritation of the skin, a violation of pigmentation and skin dermatitis. This usually refers to workers who systematically come into contact with him in the workplace, such as sorters or powder packers.
There is no reliable data on the safety of vanillin for pregnant and lactating mothers. Contraindication only with individual intolerance to vanillin.
The use of vanillin in moderate doses is almost safe for the body. But continuous use is not recommended, like any synthetic product.
Energy and biological value
100 g of vanillin contain:
Squirrels | 0.06 g | 1% |
Fats | 0.06 g | 1% |
Carbohydrates | 12.65 g | 98% |
The energy value | 288 kcal | |
The increased calorie content is offset by small doses of vanillin. And it is used in products that are difficult to attribute to dietary foods. Typically, vanillin is added to high-carb, high-fat foods - biscuits, chocolate, cookies, ice cream.
The use of vanillin
There is a great need for vanilla flavor in the food industry for the manufacture of food products. Especially popular is the use of ice cream and chocolate in the manufacture, according to statistics, these two products consume 75% of the produced vanillin. It is widely used to enhance the taste of tea, cocktails and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
But few know that vanilla aroma is in harmony with meat dishes. For example, in the preparation of sweet and sour fruit sauce.
Often, vanillin is used not only to give a pleasant aroma to the product, but also to interrupt the smell and taste of a low-quality product. It is important to use vanillin in strict proportions, an excess of flavoring substance will give specific bitterness to the product.
Vanilla smell is popular when creating cosmetics. Each cosmetic company has more than one series using vanilla flavor. It is often used to eliminate the unpleasant odor and taste of pharmaceuticals, especially for children and detergents. Successful attempts by Taiwanese scientists to use vanillin in the treatment of psoriasis are known.
Vanillin found its application in the domestic environment for the preparation of repellents against gnats and mosquitoes based on an aqueous or oily solution, as well as when mixed with a baby cream. For infants, this is the only absolutely harmless repellent.
Finally
The health benefits and harms of vanillin, like other flavors, have not yet been fully explored. But we can say with confidence that the use of this product in the right dosage will not cause any harm to health.