What Are Emulsifiers?

The food industry in particular appreciates what emulsifiers are and how they are used. Emulsifiers can be found in many ready meals. But there are also foods that act as natural emulsifiers.

What are emulsifiers?

Emulsifiers are additives that the food industry likes to use. What exactly the emulsifiers are depends on the area of ​​application. Basically, the task of an emulsifier is to make a fatty and an aqueous phase miscible so that they still produce a homogeneous mass even after a long period of time. Emulsifiers are particularly common in products that contain little fat and are therefore declared as “light”.

• The most commonly used emulsifier is lecithin , also known as E 322. It is made from sunflower seeds, soy and corn. Lecithin is commonly found in chocolate, baked goods, margarine and cooking fats . When lecithins are added, dough can be kneaded better and the products have a longer shelf life.
• Sugar glycerides , also known under the name E 474, improve the properties of liquid chocolate and improve the baking properties of flour. They are made from fatty acids. Other foods in which sugar glycerides can be found are beverages, coffee creamers and confectionery.
• Under the designation E 433, manufacturers indicate polysorbate 80 , which is manufactured artificially. The emulsifier can be found in sauces, soups, ice cream and plant-based milk substitutes. Polysorbate 80 prevents splattering of fats that are heated.

This could make emulsifiers hazardous to health

All additives that are approved in this country are classified as non-hazardous to health. Nevertheless, you should know these points when you take emulsifiers:

• All people who suffer from an allergy or are prone to an allergy should be careful with the emulsifiers as the additives could cause an allergy in some people.
• Anyone who avoids animal products in their diet should be doubly careful when it comes to additives: some emulsifiers are made from products from animal sources.
• Polysorbate 80 is suspected of causing severe inflammatory bowel disease in people who are genetically predisposed to it. In addition, there is a greater likelihood that blood sugar levels and body fat levels will rise when consuming emulsifiers on a regular basis.
• Some sugar glycerides and lecithins are obtained from genetically modified plants grown in monocultures.

How to avoid emulsifiers in the diet

The easiest way to avoid emulsifiers is to use products that are not “light”, i.e. low-fat. In addition, you should avoid ready meals and fast food, which very often contain additives, such as mayonnaise or various sauces.