Carrageenan in Health Foods Causing Digestive Issues

There is a  food additive, considered “natural”,  in many food products including organic,  that can cause gastrointestinal problems, and even cancer.

Carrageenan, a food additive, is extracted from red seaweed.  For 40 years scientists have been warning it isn’t safe because of its chemical structure.  Carrageenan triggers an immune reaction which leads to inflammation in the gastrointestinal system. In animal studies, carrageenan caused gastrointestinal inflammation and higher rates of intestinal lesions, ulcerations and even malignant tumors.

Why Carrageenan is in Our Food

Carrageenan adds no nutritional value or flavor to our foods.  So why is it added at all?  Have you ever noticed how creamy low- fat or nonfat dairy products are?  Carrageenan is used as a fat substitute to thicken nonfat and low-fat dairy products and vegetable-based foods like soy, almond, and coconut milks.

It is also added as a stabilizer to beverages that would normally separate.  Adding carrageenan to a drink prevents the consumer from having to shake the product.  (How lazy do food companies think we are?).  Carrageenan is also added to deli meats and prepared chicken.  Sometimes it is injected as brine into pre-cooked poultry to improve the consistency.

Carrageenan can be found in many processed products including certified organic.  It is even added to canned pet food.

Avoid Carraggenan and Feel Better

If you have any sort of digestive issues and are eating or drinking carrageenan, stop immediately.  Many people who have bloating, or mild to severe gastrointestinal problems, are seeing them disappear when removing carrageenan from their diet.

To your Health!

Peter Gillham