Can we do without soy lecithin in our food? From the look of things, it doesn’t seem likely. Soy lecithin is featured in almost every packaged food that we get from the store. From bread, ice cream, and dietary supplements to infant formulas, there’s a good chance that you’ve consumed it in your last meal. However, the ingredient has largely remained a mystery to most people.
So, what really is soy lecithin, and why do manufacturers always add it to packaged foods? Here, we’ll answer this question and dig deeper into the benefits and controversy surrounding its use.
What is Soy Lecithin?
Soy lecithin is a popular food additive made from a number of ingredients, including soy. The additive is used to perform several functions in our food, especially packaged food. These include improving the quality of the food and acting as an emulsifier or lubricant. In many other cases, it serves as a flavor protector and antioxidant.
Soy lecithin is naturally found as a fatty molecule in several foods. Examples include milk, cotton seed, sunflower oil, soybeans, seafood, rapeseed, and egg yolk. Manufacturers make soy lecithin by first extracting soybean oil from soybeans.
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They then mix the oil with water, during which the lecithin component of the oil comes out. Then, they dry the lecithin, and in some cases, they bleach it, too, using a chemical compound known as hydrogen peroxide. In addition to the liquid form, the additive can also be found in powder and granules.
As expected, an ingredient as popular as soy lecithin can’t escape public scrutiny and suspicion. People have raised a range of concerns about the additive, some valid, and others completely unfounded. One of the major sources of debate over its use is its side effects.
What Are the Side Effects of Soy Lecithin?
There are a number of confirmed side effects of soy lecithin. Therefore, consumers require vigilance before taking soy supplements. Soy lecithin can lead to side effects such as diarrhea, stomach pain, swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing, and nausea.
Intake of the additive could also cause an increase in saliva in the mouth and a lot of other side effects. Most people won’t suffer these side effects. But if you notice these or any other side effects, call your doctor immediately.
For example, people with egg and soy allergies should trace the source of their supplements before consumption. However, this precaution only applies to the supplements. Naturally occurring lecithin in food poses no risk.
However, nutritionists clarified, “Those with a more mild soy allergy may be able to tolerate soy lecithin because it’s found in a small amount and most of the allergen is removed during processing.”
A major concern surrounding the use of the additive is its genetically modified organisms (GMO) source. Most soy lecithin is made from genetically modified soy. It isn’t a secret that GMO foods aren’t welcome in many homes.
As of 2024, the FDA recognizes soy lecithin as a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) food additive. Although scientists have maintained that GMO lecithins are just as safe as natural ones, many people are still skeptical.
What Are the Benefits of Soy Lecithin?
There are many benefits of soy lecithin. Aside from its usefulness in preparing and preserving food, the additive offers many benefits to human health. One major one is its ability to combat high cholesterol.
Many people with high cholesterol challenges turn to soy lecithin for help. Research has shown that adding soy lecithin to the diet could influence the downward movement of cholesterol levels. Also, it contains antioxidants, which are crucial to health and longevity. It is little wonder that this additive is a major ingredient in skincare products.
Scientists have also stated that it is a great source of isoflavones. Isoflavones is a protective plant compound that has “been found to be anti-inflammatory and may help protect against certain cancers and heart disease.”
In addition, adding supplemental lecithin to baby milk helps to prevent fat loss, and for mothers, it boosts lactation, which is the production of breast milk. Soy Lecithin may also ward against organ damage.
The additive contains choline, an important nutrient needed to fight diseases. When the body is short on choline, many things can go wrong, including organ dysfunction and conditions like muscle damage.
Choline intake also influences mental sharpness. Studies have also shown that lecithin may significantly improve memory and cognitive functions.
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What Is the Function of Emulsifier Lecithin?
We use soy lecithin emulsifiers to mix ingredients that contain water and oil. Notably, it plays a useful role in salad dressings, for instance. As an emulsifier, the additive helps to boost the quality and texture of packaged food products.
An advantage of soy emulsifiers is that they are natural. Hence, it promotes a natural combination of food ingredients.
Soy lecithin will ensure that the salad dressing is consistent throughout and doesn’t separate. Another prominent use of lecithin is as a preservative, helping to keep food lasting longer and to protect its flavors.
What Are the Symptoms of a Soy Allergy?
How can you tell when you have a soy allergy? It’s simple. Look out for symptoms such as stomach cramps, wheezing, repetitive cough, and tightness in the throat. Others are vomiting, indigestion, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing.
Soy is on the list of the nine major allergens in America, according to a report from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). People with an extreme allergy “or who are highly sensitive to soy should avoid soy lecithin,” says a leading nutritionist.
Contact your doctor as soon as you discover a soy lecithin allergy. Your doctor might suggest a soy allergy treatment called oral immunotherapy (OIT). This treatment has been proven safe and effective for gradually reducing allergic reactions to food.
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