Acesulfame potassium is a zero-calorie sweetener that is added to many sugar-free…
Menu
Papain
Papain
Papain
What is it:
Papain is a proteolytic enzyme extracted from the papaya fruit (Carica papaya). It is commonly used in food processing as a meat tenderizer and as a clarifying agent in the brewing industry. Papain is produced through a process of extraction from the latex of unripe papaya fruit. The latex is collected, purified, and processed to isolate the enzyme. Its ability to break down proteins makes it valuable in various food processing industries, particularly in tenderizing tough meat fibers and in clarifying beer and other beverages.
Rating:
Papain is a naturally derived enzyme that has demonstrated anti-obese effects in mice. Safety studies have not found any toxic or mutagenic potential of papain, however, papaya is a known allergen for many people and industrial papain has been found to cause allergic reactions in some workers. Abstaining from foods containing papain is necessary for those with allergy to papaya.
Resources:
- Papain exhibits anti-obese in mice (animal study)
- Industrial papain causes allergic reactions (case reports)
- Papain as a meat tenderizer
- No toxic or mutagenic potential found from papain (in vitro study)
- Papaya as a potential allergen (review)
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
- It is not naturally occurring in food but doesn’t have data showing it has a harmful effect on the body (additives like Gellan Gum)
- It is naturally occurring but can have some harmful effects on the body (added sugars, oils, gums etc.)
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)
Top Ingredients To Avoid
Almond extract is a concentrated liquid flavoring derived from almonds, commonly used…
Recent Articles
Not all flavors, or oils are created equal!
The Food Showdown: Popcorners flavors
Ingredient Rating: Canola oil – is it bad for you?
Clean Consuming: Nourishment for your
Is It Clean 2023 Recap + Our top 3 Tips for a Healthier 2024
We have accomplished so much in just 1 year since our launch in March of 2023! We now have 10,000
Food Showdown: Nacho Chips
The Nacho Chip Food Showdown, is Tapioca Starch safe in food? and a must-see documentary on America’s food system.