Acesulfame potassium is a zero-calorie sweetener that is added to many sugar-free…
Menu
Zinc gluconate
Zinc gluconate
Zinc gluconate
What is it:
Zinc gluconate is a chemical compound commonly used as a zinc supplement in various food products. It is a salt formed by the combination of zinc ions with gluconic acid. Zinc plays a crucial role in numerous enzymatic reactions and is essential for the proper functioning of the immune system. The production of zinc gluconate typically involves the reaction of zinc oxide or zinc carbonate with gluconic acid, resulting in the formation of zinc gluconate and water that can be added to food and beverages to increase zinc intake.
Rating:
Zinc gluconate is a naturally occurring compound, however, it is normally produced synthetically for commercial use. It can help increase zinc status when included in foods and beverages and has shown to increase health outcomes. It is important to note that it is produced with gluconic acid, which is commonly produced through the fermentation of glucose with aspergillus niger, a type of black mold and a known allergen. Citric acid is also fermented with Aspergillus niger, and concerns have been raised over whether there could be trace amounts of mold residue present in the compounds produced that are used in commercial applications.
Resources:
- Zinc gluconate supplementation impacts the clinical improvement in patients with ulcerative colitis (randomized controlled trial)
- Zinc gluconate lozenges significantly reduced the duration of symptoms of the common cold (randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study)
- PubChem on zinc gluconate
- Production of gluconic acid from glucose by Aspergillus niger
- EPA Final Risk Assessment for Aspergillus niger
- Potential health concerns of aspergillus niger fermented citric acid and approval with no safety evaluation (Review of case studies)
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.