As part of the products, you can find various food additives, which are denoted by the letter E and a numeric code. Often they are treated negatively, but additives additives are discordant, and sometimes quite harmless and even useful substances are hidden under the label E. For example, E322 is an emulsifier of lecithin. This substance is also found in natural products, such as egg yolk, liver, meat and peanuts. In addition, lecithin is the main active substance of some drugs. Many are interested in the benefits of lecithin for health, and whether it can cause harm.
Properties of lecithin
In the food industry, lecithin is widely used as an emulsifier and antioxidant, which slows down the aging process of products. It is especially often added to chocolate and chocolate glaze, pastries, pastries, pasta, mayonnaise and margarine. For a person, this compound is vital because it performs many functions in the body.
- Lecithin is necessary for the normal functioning of the nervous system. It is a part of the membranes of nerve fibers and cell membranes, is involved in the transmission of nerve impulses, from which the neurotransmitter acetylcholine is formed.
- This substance helps us to more effectively absorb fat-soluble vitamins A , E, D and K.
- Lecithin also reduces the harmful effects of toxic substances on the body.
- It is involved in the regulation of the metabolism of cholesterol and fatty acids, thereby normalizing their level in the blood.
- Some hormones can not be produced in the absence of lecithin, so it participates in the endocrine system.
Thus, the deficit of lecithin is fraught with worsening of the brain, irritability, nervous breakdowns, fast fatigue and depressive states, and in children a developmental delay. In addition, the lack of this substance leads to a violation of lipid metabolism, the development of atherosclerosis and cholelithiasis.
Lecithin is used in bodybuilding to reduce the negative impact on the liver of high physical activity and as a general restorative therapy that contributes to better recovery. Some types of sports nutrition are especially rich in lecithin. In addition, it is a part of hepatoprotectors, which are prescribed for hepatitis and fatty liver. Lecithin is also useful for losing weight, because it normalizes the metabolism of fats and generally contributes to the improvement of metabolism.
Benefit and harm of lecithin
This substance is absolutely safe for a person, so do not get scared if you find it in the product of E322. The only problem is where does the person get lecithin. As a rule, in the food industry it is added to those products, where there are also a lot of dyes, preservatives, harmful fats and simple carbohydrates. If you regularly eat chocolate or confectionery, then the benefits of lecithin in their composition will be much less than the harm from other components. Therefore, it is best to get lecithin from the following natural products:
- soybean;
- sunflower oil;
- peanut;
- avocado;
- beans;
- buckwheat grain;
- wheat bran;
- eggs;
- liver.
The biological properties of lecithin, obtained from products of plant origin, are more effective than the properties of lecithin of animal origin, so it is better to give preference to soy, peanuts, buckwheat, vegetable oil. Also, the deficiency of lecithin can be compensated by the intake of biologically active additives. The harm of lecithin is possible in the event that the substance develops an allergic reaction, so before taking BAA, be sure to consult a doctor.