Other names for the additive (synonyms)
General Information
E500 (sodium carbonates) is a group of food additives mainly used as leavening agents and acidity regulators. In everyday use, additives from the E500 group are called soda. Chemically, they are sodium salts of carbonic acid — sodium carbonates. In food products, the following are mainly used:
- sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) — soda ash;
- sodium bicarbonate (additive E500(ii), NaHCO3) — baking soda. Other names include: sodium hydrogen carbonate, bicarbonate of soda, sodium bicarbonate;
- a mixture of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate (sodium sesquicarbonate).
The word "soda" comes from the Latin name of the plant Salsola Soda. In the past, large amounts of soda were obtained from the ash of this plant.
This class of substances has been known for many centuries BC. At that time, sodium carbonates were extracted from mineral deposits (thermonatrite, trona, natron, nahcolite) or from soda lakes. Soda is also found in nature in some types of seaweed.
Today, several methods of producing E500 are known, but the most widespread is the Solvay process. It is used in more than 90% of industrial soda production. The starting materials for this process are sodium chloride (table salt), ammonia, carbon dioxide (CO2), and water. To obtain sodium carbonate, a calcination process (heating to high temperature) is required. This is why sodium carbonate is often called soda ash. In the USA, over 40% of soda is extracted from natural deposits. In CIS countries, soda is produced industrially due to the lack of large reserves of soda-containing minerals.
Effects on the Body
Benefits
Centuries of using soda have shown that E500 cannot be classified as harmful to the human body. In food products, it performs only beneficial functions.
On the internet, you can often find claims that soda cures many diseases, including cancer. These are manipulations and deceit. There is no scientific evidence of the healing properties of soda.
Harm
Excessive consumption of E500 may cause irritation of the stomach lining, especially in people with sensitive digestive systems. Soda can also damage mucous membranes upon direct contact.
Uses
Sodium carbonates are used in the food industry to prevent caking and clumping, as well as to regulate acidity. The additive is most often found in baked goods, various rolls, cakes, and cookies.
Legal Status
Food additive E500 is permitted for use in the food industry in most countries. Sodium carbonates have international status — GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe), which means the substance is considered safe for health.
