Disodium inosinate

Disodium inosinate

Disodium inosinate

What is it:

Disodium inosinate is a food additive that is used to enhance the flavor of various processed foods. It is commonly listed on ingredient labels as E631. Disodium inosinate is typically derived from a natural source, such as dried fish or meat, where it occurs naturally in small amounts. However, due to the relatively limited availability of these natural sources, commercial production involves a fermentation process using bacterial cultures, primarily the bacterium Bacillus subtilis. It is commonly used alongside MSG to enhance snacks, soups, sauces, and other food products with an umami flavor.

Rating:

While disodium inosinate can be derived from a natural source, it is present naturally in very small amounts unlike the amounts used to enhance foods. It is commonly found alongside MSG (rated red) or disodium guanylate and in highly processed foods. There is no evidence suggesting it to be toxic or carcinogenic in animals, but human research is lacking.

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How we rate ingredients

Health is like a bank account, certain ingredients make a deposit into your health bank, meaning they add to
your health. Certain ingredients withdraw from your health bank. We want health promoting ingredients in our diet. To keep things simple, we rate ingredients on a green, yellow, red scale:

Clean

It is naturally occurring in food and has no harmful effects on the body. It is real food. It is health promoting.

Caution

It goes into one or more of the below categories

We Avoid

It is known to have a harmful effect on the body (ex. All food colorings, Natural Flavors, MSG, Potassium bromate, aspartame, artificial flavors)

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