Carrageenan: What is it and why should you avoid this ingredient in your food?
Ah yes, the ever-so-popular carrageenan is being discussed this week. Aren’t you all excited to dive into this ingredient?! I know what most of you are thinking… “Conor, you’re just making up words at this point.” And to that, I say, “Nay. It is SO a word.”
In all seriousness now… What is carrageenan? It is an additive used to thicken, emulsify, and preserve foods and drinks. It’s most commonly found in dairy-based products as well as meat products.
Why is it so bad, and why should we avoid it? There is strong evidence to suggest carrageenan can lead to several health effects such as inflammation, gastrointestinal ulcerations, and damage to your digestive system. If you have a sensitive stomach, you absolutely want to AVOID this ingredient in your food.
The good news? Most companies are steering away from using this ingredient because of the many studies showing how negative this can affect one’s stomach. Also, if you have a sensitive stomach, typically, you are already avoiding dairy products, to begin with, so you won’t have to worry about coming across this particular ingredient.
