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Titanium Dioxide: Why You Should Avoid the Substance

They cannot be seen with the naked eye and are nevertheless widespread: nanoparticles such as titanium dioxide. We explain why you should avoid the substance.

Titanium Dioxide – a widely used whitening agent

Titanium dioxide (also: titanium(IV) oxide) is a color pigment that is intended to optically enhance industrially produced food and other products. It is one of the three titanium oxides. You can recognize the additive on food packaging under the number E 171, in cosmetics it is listed under the designation CI 77891. Around 6.5 million tons of the additive were produced in 2013 alone. Despite its widespread use, titanium dioxide is not always harmless to health.

What products contain titanium dioxide?

Titanium dioxide is widely used in industry. The chemically produced pigment is well suited to brightening products or giving them a fresh shine.

You can find titanium dioxide as an additive in these products, among others:

paint and varnishes
plastic
adhesive
rubber
bleached paper
The chemical is also used to “beautify” food and cosmetics. Approximately in:

Mozzarella
Baking mixes & ready-made desserts
instant soups
chewing gum
Marshmallows
fondant
toothpaste
suncream
body and hair care products
Titanium dioxide is also used to bleach tablets.

Why you should avoid titanium dioxide

Several studies cast doubt on the harmlessness of titanium oxide. For example, a large-scale study at the University of Zurich from 2017. The study suspected that titanium dioxide could increase or even promote intestinal inflammation.

The problem: Titanium dioxide is often added in the form of tiny particles, so-called nanoparticles. These are often included in sunscreen, for example. According to gastroenterologist Gerhard Rogler from the University of Zurich, if the particles are less than 100 nanometers in size, they can penetrate cells. According to the study, the substances should also accumulate there and cause inflammation. The researchers at the University of Zurich therefore recommend that people with intestinal diseases in particular avoid foods with titanium dioxide.
Furthermore, it is feared that inhaling titanium dioxide particles can be carcinogenic. According to the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), the EU Commission has decided to classify titanium dioxide as a hazardous substance with the note “probably carcinogenic by inhalation”. The risk mainly affects cosmetic sprays, aerosols and powders and not products that contain the whitening agent in solid form.
Due to the uncertain facts, France was the first European country to enforce a ban on titanium dioxide in food at the beginning of last year. The Netherlands also want to follow. In Germany, however, such a ban does not yet exist.

No ban on titanium dioxide in Europe yet

France’s ban on titanium dioxide is based on the French Agency for Food Safety (ANSES), which concludes that there is insufficient scientific evidence to show that the substance is safe. As long as it is not absolutely clear that titanium oxide does not pose a risk, it will be banned in our neighboring country.

In Germany, people tend to follow the recommendations of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). From there it was said in May 2021 in an updated assessment that titanium dioxide “can no longer be considered safe as a food additive”. The authorities could not find conclusive evidence of a toxic effect, but a harmful effect cannot be ruled out. So more research is needed.

By the way: Dr. Oetker has not used titanium dioxide in its products since April 2020 after foodwatch launched a protest campaign signed by around 40,000 people.

Overall, it’s arguably safer to avoid the substance. It’s not that complicated: Just look for titanium dioxide/titanium oxide or the numbers E 171 and CI 77891 when shopping.

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health

Carbon Dioxide is Unhealthy: What is The Truth About Health Myth?

Still water or sparkling water – what is healthier? Many people ask themselves this question again and again, after all there are many myths surrounding the harmfulness of sparkling water. But what about the arguments against carbonic acid in the water?

Carbonated Water Has Lower pH: What Does That Mean?

A special feature of carbonated water: it has a lower pH value. According to Stiftung Warentest, its pH value is around 5.3, while still water has a neutral pH value of 7. So carbonated water is slightly acidic – that’s one of the reasons why it’s said to be unhealthier and has numerous effects on the body could have.

#1. Carbonic acid is bad for your teeth: What’s behind the myth?

A common belief is that carbon dioxide damages teeth. According to Stefan Zimmer, Head of the Department of Tooth Preservation and Preventive Dentistry at the University of Witten/Herdecke, this accusation is completely unjustified. There are no disadvantages for the teeth when drinking sparkling water, since the carbon dioxide in it breaks down immediately.

A sip of sparkling water after a meal can even help to remove tooth decay-promoting substrates. The rinsing effect can also dilute acids that attack the teeth and cause tooth erosion.

The American Dental Association also disagrees with this argument – ​​it considers carbonated mineral water to be harmless. She cites a study

#2. Sparkling water makes you fat: Does carbonic acid increase your appetite?

Fizzy water may promote weight gain, according to a 2017 study. Researchers observed that rats given fizzy drinks gained weight faster than rats fed the same non-fizzy drinks. Apparently the carbonic acid raised the ghrelin level. Ghrelin is an appetite-stimulating hormone

However, the scientists only used rats and 20 students for their study. The results are therefore not meaningful, says Stiftung Warentest. So far there is no reliable evidence that sparkling water can actually make you fat.

#3. Carbonated water makes you acidic: Does the drink disturb our acid-base balance?

As already mentioned, sparkling water actually has a higher pH value than still water and is therefore more acidic. With this reason, carbonated drinks are sometimes discouraged in naturopathy.

However, the German Society for Nutrition (DGE) gives the all-clear: “The carbon dioxide it contains is quite unstable and quickly breaks down into its components CO2 and water”. When the bottle is opened, the carbonic acid escapes with a hiss (in the form of CO2). “The rest of it breaks down in the stomach. This means that you have to belch or part gets into the blood via the digestive tract and is exhaled unnoticed through the lungs. This means that carbonated water does not contribute to acidification in the body.”

But even in this case, according to the Center for Health, there is no clear answer. So it means here too: observe oneself. For some people, carbonic acid can affect pH balance. This can lead to heartburn or digestive problems. For others, the sparkling water can even have the opposite effect. In the case of constipation, carbonated water could even be more advisable than still water.

#4. Carbonic acid damages the stomach: does sparkling water cause heartburn?

The fact is: Anyone who drinks carbonated drinks absorbs gas (CO2) – and this also finds its way out again. According to NDR experts, part of it enters the blood via the digestive tract and is then exhaled via the lungs.

The rest then escapes through belching and annoying flatulence. As a rule, however, this is not a problem – according to the experts, sparkling water is not automatically unhealthier because of this.

But be careful: If you are prone to heartburn, you may well have problems if you drink carbonic acid. When you belch, stomach acid can get into the esophagus and cause heartburn. Therefore, people with sensitive stomachs should drink water that is still or only slightly carbonated.

Conclusion: Carbonated water is not necessarily unhealthier – the effect is individual

In summary, it can be said that carbonated water is not nearly as bad as its reputation suggests. In most points it depends on the individual sensitivities of a person. So if you don’t notice any negative effects on yourself when you drink sparkling water, you can confidently continue to do so.

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Food

Carbon Dioxide is Unhealthy: What is The Truth About The Health Myth?

Still water or sparkling water – what is healthier? Many people ask themselves this question again and again, after all there are many myths surrounding the harmfulness of sparkling water. But what about the arguments against carbonic acid in the water?

Carbonated Water Has Lower pH: What Does That Mean?

A special feature of carbonated water: it has a lower pH value. According to Stiftung Warentest, its pH value is around 5.3, while still water has a neutral pH value of 7. So carbonated water is slightly acidic – that’s one of the reasons why it’s said to be unhealthier and has numerous effects on the body could have.

#1. Carbonic acid is bad for your teeth: What’s behind the myth?

A common belief is that carbon dioxide damages teeth. According to Stefan Zimmer, Head of the Department of Tooth Preservation and Preventive Dentistry at the University of Witten/Herdecke, this accusation is completely unjustified. There are no disadvantages for the teeth when drinking sparkling water, since the carbon dioxide in it breaks down immediately.

A sip of sparkling water after a meal can even help to remove tooth decay-promoting substrates. The rinsing effect can also dilute acids that attack the teeth and tooth erosion

The American Dental Association also disagrees with this argument – ​​it considers carbonated mineral water to be safe. She cites a study

#2. Sparkling water makes you fat: Does carbonic acid increase your appetite?

Fizzy water may promote weight gain, according to a 2017 study. Researchers observed that rats given fizzy drinks gained weight faster than rats fed the same non-fizzy drinks. Apparently the carbonic acid raised the ghrelin level. Ghrelin is an appetite-stimulating hormone

However, the scientists only used rats and 20 students for their study. The results are therefore not meaningful, says Stiftung Warentest. So far there is no reliable evidence that sparkling water can actually make you fat.
Experts advise your own appetite in connection with sparkling water

#3. Carbonated water makes you acidic: Does the drink disturb our acid-base balance?

As already mentioned, sparkling water actually has a higher pH value than still water and is therefore more acidic. With this reason, carbonated drinks are sometimes discouraged in naturopathy.

However, the German Society for Nutrition (DGE) gives the all-clear: “The carbon dioxide it contains is quite unstable and quickly breaks down into its components CO2 and water”. When the bottle is opened, the carbonic acid escapes with a hiss (in the form of CO2). “The rest breaks down in the stomach. This means that you have to belch or a part gets into the blood via the digestive tract and is exhaled unnoticed through the lungs. So carbonated water does not contribute to acidification of the body.”

But even in this case, according to the Center for Health, there is no clear answer. So it means here too: observe oneself. For some people, carbonic acid can affect pH balance. This can lead to heartburn or digestive problems. For others, the sparkling water can even have the opposite effect. In the case of constipation, carbonated water could even be more advisable than still water.

#4. Carbonic acid damages the stomach: does sparkling water cause heartburn?

The fact is: Anyone who drinks carbonated drinks absorbs gas (CO2) – and this also finds its way out again. According to NDR experts, part of it enters the blood via the digestive tract and is then exhaled via the lungs.

The rest then escapes through belching and annoying flatulence. As a rule, however, this is not a problem – according to the experts, sparkling water is not automatically unhealthier because of this.

But be careful: If you are prone to heartburn, you may well have problems if you drink carbonic acid. When you belch, stomach acid can get into the esophagus and cause heartburn. Therefore, people with sensitive stomachs should drink water that is still or only slightly carbonated.

Conclusion: Carbonated water is not necessarily unhealthier – the effect is individual

In summary, it can be said that carbonated water is not nearly as bad as its reputation suggests. In most points it depends on the individual sensitivities of a person. So if you don’t notice any negative effects on yourself when you drink sparkling water, you can confidently continue to do so.

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Food

Sulfur Dioxide (E220): Why You Should Avoid The Preservative

Sulfur dioxide is a preservative in many foods and must be declared on the packaging. Manufacturers often indicate the substance as E220 in the list of ingredients. Here’s why the preservative is problematic.

Sulfur dioxide is a colorless gas that also occurs in nature. It can be dissolved in water and is then called “sulphurous acid” or as salts of sulphurous acid (E221 to E228):
E220: sulfur dioxide
E221: sodium sulfite
E222: sodium bisulfite
E223: sodium metabisulfite
E224: Potassium metabisulfite
E226: calcium sulfite
E227: calcium bisulphite
E228: potassium bisulphite
It doesn’t matter which of these substances the manufacturer uses – they must declare it on the packaging. So consumers know exactly that sulfur dioxide is contained.

The problem: The substance can lead to headaches and nausea and destroys vitamin B1. Therefore, sulfur dioxide must not be used in staple foods that are rich in vitamin B1.

sulfur dioxide in food

Sulfur dioxide is popular with manufacturers because it can be used in a variety of ways:
Sulfur dioxide blocks the growth of fungal and bacterial cultures and is therefore a good food preservative.
Colourants, vitamins and aromas are slowly broken down when they come into contact with oxygen. Sulfur dioxide can prevent this or slow down the process significantly. Products therefore stay fresh longer and do not turn brown, explains the Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety (LGL).
Sulfur dioxide or the salts are particularly common in the following foods:
Potato Chips
salted dried fish
pearl barley
Sun-dried tomatoes
dried fruit
Meat and fish substitute products
finished products
Wine

How dangerous is sulfur dioxide for health?

Some people are sensitive to sulfur dioxide: People with allergies may experience asthmatic reactions after eating foods containing sulfur, according to the LGL. Examples include asthma attacks and allergic reactions.
Normally, the enzyme sulfite oxidase ensures that the body breaks down sulfur dioxide. However, some people have little of this enzyme. Then, after eating foods containing sulfur, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and headaches can follow.
There have also been anaphylactic shocks with circulatory collapse. After a restaurant guest died after eating in Canada, additives containing sulfur were banned in restaurants there.
There is also evidence that the intestinal mucosa is damaged.
In smaller amounts, foods with sulfur dioxide do not pose a health risk, explains the Federal Center for Nutrition. Also not for pregnant women and babies. Only allergy sufferers should be careful and check whether they notice an allergic reaction. However, we advise everyone against eating products with sulfur dioxide. Because the preservative destroys vitamin B1, which is important for the metabolism and can only be ingested through food. Most products are also available unsulphured, such as dried apricots.

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