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Sodium benzoate
Sodium benzoate
Sodium benzoate
What is it:
Sodium benzoate is a commonly used food preservative. It is produced commercially through the reaction of benzoic acid, which can be derived from various sources such as toluene or phenol, with sodium hydroxide. This reaction forms sodium benzoate, a white crystalline powder. It is widely utilized in the food and beverage industry as a preservative to inhibit the growth of microorganisms and extend the shelf life of products. Sodium benzoate is commonly found in carbonated drinks, fruit juices, sauces, pickles, and other processed foods. Its antimicrobial properties help prevent spoilage and maintain the quality of food products.
Rating:
Sodium benzoate can break down into benzene, a known carcinogen, particularly in the presence of vitamin C or from exposure to heat and light. Some sensitive individuals may develop an allergic reaction to sodium benzoate. Sodium benzoate has been linked to inflammation, oxidative stress, ADHD symptoms, and appetite hormone changes. Medically, sodium benzoate shows some efficacy in the treatment of conditions like schizophrenia, however, medical therapy may differ greatly from ingesting it regularly as a food additive.
Resources:
- FDA on benzene in beverages
- Review of presence of benzene in processed foods
- Very small percentage of patients exhibit allergic reactions to sodium benzoate (randomized controlled trial)
- Sodium benzoate modifies gene expression and inflammatory pathways in liver tissue (in vitro study)
- Sodium benzoate intake may be associated with ADHD symptoms in college students (pilot study)
- Sodium benzoate decreases leptin release in mice cells (animal in vitro study)
- Sodium benzoate increases oxidative stress in human cells (in vitro study)
- Sodium benzoate treatment improved symptoms of schizophrenia (randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial)
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)
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