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Carrageenan

Carrageenan

Carrageenan is a substance derived from the refining of red seaweed or Irish moss. While not a nutritional supplement, carrageenan has many applications in foods, beverages and many household products.

Carrageenan, once refined, creates a gel that is used as a thickening agent, to improve viscosity and to replace fats in food products.

There are three different kinds of carrageenan that are derived from seaweed or Irish moss: kappa carrageenan, lambda carrageenan and iota carrageenan. 

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Summary

Carrageenan History Carrageenan has been used for hundreds of years as an additive for food in mainly China, Ireland and Scotland. The current, largest producer of carrageenan is the Philippines. Carrageenan in Foods Carrageenan is found in many foods and beverages as a thickening ... more

Carrageenan History

Carrageenan has been used for hundreds of years as an additive for food in mainly China, Ireland and Scotland. The current, largest producer of carrageenan is the Philippines.

Carrageenan in Foods

Carrageenan is found in many foods and beverages as a thickening agent or in place of fats. Foods that contain carrageenan include ice cream, processed meats, and chewy fruit snacks. Beverages containing carrageenan include beer, soda, condensed milk and some soy milks.

Carrageenan is also used in place of gelatin, the gel product produced from the hooves, hide and bones of animals to be used in foods such as Jell-O. Vegetarians and vegans, or those who choose not to use products derived from animal sources, use carrageenan as a substitute.

Carrageenan and Other Uses

Carrageenan is also used in toothpaste, air freshener gels, shampoos, pet foods and personal lubricants. It is also used to marbleize paper in fabric as it creates a medium for the dye to sit upon prior to being transferred to fabric or paper.

Carrageenan and HPV

HPV, or Human Papillomavirus, the collection of viruses that cause warts, including genital warts, is also the main cause of cervical cancer. WebMD reported in July 2007 that a study showed that carrageenan, used in personal lubricants and spermicides, has the potential to halt the transmission of HPV.

Another study showed that, in the laboratory, the thickening properties of carrageenan prevented the HPV from attaching to the proteins on the surface of a cell.

Carrageenan and the Cold Virus

In the August 2010 journal “Respiratory Research,” 35 participants showed a decrease of cold symptoms and lower counts of the virus in nasal passages after using a nasal spray containing Iota-Carrageenan.

Carrageenan and HIV

Studies are currently underway to test carrageenan’s ability to protect users from infection from HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Carrageenan and Safety

In the early 1970s, the FDA listed carrageenan as GRAS, Generally Recognized As Safe, at a level 3. A level 3 determination means that the findings do not support evidence that carrageenan poses a health risk when consumed at normal levels of 30-50 mgs a day.

There is evidence that when used at intensified levels carrageenan can be dangerous to your health. In 2001, an animal study conducted by J.K. Tobacman found that carrageenan caused ulcers in digestive linings and promoted the growth of tumors.

In response to Tobacman’s findings, the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), an international team of independent scientists working under the World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization, reexamined carrageenan.

The JECFA team indicated that Tobacman’s findings would not apply to humans because of the amount of the carrageenan ingested by the animals who showed negative effects. When correlated with human levels, these were considerably larger than any human would regularly consume.  

JECFA concluded that there was no health risks associated with carrageenan when ingested at normal levels, but that it should not be added to infant formulas or ingested in large doses. The debate still continues, but all agree that carrageenan is not safe for consumption in large amounts.

There are also studies looking into the effect carrageenan has on digestive conditions such as ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease and Crohn’s disease.

Carrageenan and Side Effects

There are some studies that suggest that there are allergies associated with carrageenan. Symptoms include an upset stomach when foods containing carrageenan are consumed. There are also reports of rash, burning and itching when used in a topical manner.

Always seek medical treatment when an allergy to any substance prevents breathing, swallowing or normal functioning.

Carrageenan and Medical Conditions

It is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women to take carrageenan. Also, those suffering from digestive disorders such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis should speak with a doctor about the carrageenan in their diet.

Carrageenan and Product Forms

Carrageenan is sold as a powder or gel to be used as a food additive or in other processes, such as marbleizing paper or fabric. Use the supplement finder to find sources for carrageenan for your use right now!

Other

  • Side Effects
  • Other Names
  • Uses
Allergic Reaction
Rashes
Upset Stomach
Burning Sensation
Contraindicated For Certain Medical Conditions
Itching
Algas, Carrageen, Carrageenin, Carragenano, Carragenina, Carragheenan, Chondrus crispus, Chondrus Extract, Euchema species, Gigartina chamissoi, Gigartina mamillosa, Gigartina skottsbergii, Irish Moss Algae, Irish Moss Extract, Red Marine Algae
Thickening Agent