Question: Is The Preservative Benzoic Acid Dangerous?
Are there any negative health issues associated with eating a product that has the preservative benzoic acid?
Answer:
Sodium benzoate (aka benzoic acid, benzoate of soda, and E211) is a chemical preservative that is particularly effective against yeasts. It is one of the most widely used of all preservatives.
Initially, the problem was thought to come not so much from benzoic acid (sodium benzoate) by itself, but from combining benzoic acid with ascorbic acid. Together, they can produce benzene, a known carcinogen. Recent research, however, indicates that sodium benzoate by itself, in sufficient amounts, may switch off vital parts of DNA.
Because of the controversy, some companies are moving away from sodium benzoate, whereas others are still resisting. The problem is that although there are alternatives, they either do not work as well, have their own health problems, or are more expensive.
For beverages, the better option is post pasteurization. It is more expensive but does not introduce its own health problems — although it can affect the taste.
I see the use of magnesium stearate in supplements and wonder if it is necessary. Could this additive cause a problem with nutrient absorption?
Although it would be nice to avoid the use of any additive when putting supplements together, it is not always possible. Magnesium stearate is considered one of the more benign additives and does not affect absorption. It’s purpose in formulas is to act as a lubricant to help prevent the powdered supplement from sticking to the encapsulation or tableting machines and clogging them. With powders that are sticky or tend to clump, there is no way around it.
Jon,
From all the alt-health
Jon,
From all the alt-health websites I’ve found, your site seems to be the most wholistically-truth concerned. That is very impressive to me since it is so easy, popular, yet fundamentally insidious to speak with half or partial truths.
My specific question for you – and I hope this isn’t in any way problematic for you – is, you, I think reasonably, conclude, that, essentially, because of the benign nature and ubiquity of mag-stearate, that “there is no way around it.” Some have suggested that, especially considering the lack of long-term health effects of such additives, it would be better to steer clear of them – better to safe than sorry. The problem is that some supplements for some or many people are absolutely crucial and are very difficult to find without said additive. Might you have a wise opinion to offer on this?
Sincere thanks for your attention and excellent, sincere, and principled writings,
Best regards and please never stop!!
Solomon:
In a perfect world,
Solomon:
In a perfect world, I would not use stearic acid in any of its forms in a formula I produce. Although, no negatives have actually been proven (they have only been hypothesized based on limited in vitro studies), I nevertheless don’t like the idea of adding something (even if naturally derived) purely to facilitate manufacturing. That said, it’s often unavoidable. Stearate is used as a flow agent in formulas so that the ingredients move through the manufacturing machinery without clogging. Some formulas do not require it, but others with highly “sticky” ingredients such as the avocado soy unsaponifiables I use in my Triple Jointed formula will absolutely not move through encapsulation equipment without the added flow agent. Bottom line: if you want a formula like Triple Jointed, it’s going to come with stearate. For the people who use that formula, they would tell you that the benefits overwhelmingly outweigh any “potential” risk.
Then again, the same could be said for the use of alcohol in tinctures. Consuming alcohol is not beneficial to the human body, and that’s not theoretical. It’s been proven. Unfortunately, you can’t make a tincture without alcohol; it’s the primary solvent used in extraction, and it is an extraordinary preservative that keeps the tincture viable for years after manufacturing. But when taken in the extremely small quantities as found in a dose of any tincture, any harm is negligible. The benefits (if the tincture is well made) are extraordinary. So again, this is a trade off I am willing to make in formulation — and that most people are willing to take when it comes to using tinctures.
Hope that helps.
Jon
Well, yes, to the extent that
Well, yes, to the extent that I know your opinion more clearly, indeed, it does. I’m sorry but I just have to say that you sir are quite remarkable – sincereity, wholeness of truth, and diligence! I didn’t really expect an anwser.
The world is in dire need of more people like you.
With deep appreciation and admiration,
Solomon