Soy lecithin - benefits and harm. Emulsifier soy lecithin e, composition, benefits

Soy lecithin is one of the most popular food additives in the food industry.

This plant emulsifier has become especially widespread on the American continent, displacing egg lecithin from use, the process of obtaining which is more labor-intensive and expensive.

But what do we know about the benefits and harms of soy lecithin? Is this dietary supplement safe for the human body?

What is soy lecithin?

In the food industry, soy lecithin is known as an emulsifier coded E322. It is widely used in confectionery, in the process of making chocolate, in the production of margarine or baby food. Soy lecithin E322 significantly increases shelf life finished products nutrition, simplifies the baking process and allows fats to remain in a liquid state longer.

The food industry also knows soy lecithin E476, which is used as a stabilizer and is sometimes identified with its more famous relative. But these two food additives are far from the same thing.

By the way, E476 is banned in a number of civilized countries of the world, while in our homeland this genetically modified substance is often present in chocolate and candies, pates, mayonnaise and sauces.

There is constant debate about the benefits and harms of soy lecithin E476, since this stabilizer in large quantities can provoke the development of cancer in humans, complex liver diseases with disruption of the basic functions of the gland, as well as enlargement of the kidneys and a reduction in their filtration. That is why when choosing finished products it is very important to study its composition and give preference to products containing the emulsifier E322 rather than E476.

What is soy lecithin made of?

What is soy lecithin? This emulsifier additive is highly valued by manufacturers. food products, as it is a powerful natural antioxidant of plant origin.

Soy lecithin contains:

• B vitamins;
• phosphates;
• phosphodiethiocholine;
• choline;
• inositol;
• linolenic acid.

All these components take an active part in the nutrition of cells of the central nervous system, the processes of transmitting impulses between neurons, and maintaining the balance between inhibition and excitation.

You will learn more about lecithin from the video:

Benefits of emulsifier

The emulsifier soy lecithin GOST 32052-2013 is useful only in cases where it is made from natural and naturally grown soybeans.

It is better not to consume soy lecithin with GMOs, which can often be found in prepared food products, since large quantities of it can provoke the development of cancer and significantly worsen a person’s overall health.

The beneficial effects of soy lecithin on the human body are expressed in the following:

• preventing the formation of atherosclerotic plaques on the walls of blood vessels and reducing the concentration of bad cholesterol in the blood;
• improvement of contractile function of the heart muscle;
• acceleration of metabolic processes in the body;
• oxidation and breakdown of fats, as well as assistance in getting rid of extra pounds;
• improving the outflow and rheological properties of bile;
• prevention of cholelithiasis;
• positive influence on the balance of microelements in the body;
• cell restoration;
• help with brain function;
• improvement of memorization processes and acceleration of information transformation;
• protection from stress, elimination of anxiety, unjustified fears, nervousness;
• reducing cravings for nicotine.

Another lecithin obtained from sunflower oil has the same properties. So, which lecithin is better: soy or sunflower? Many people are interested in this question and are interested in the composition of the products they consume.

Naturally, sunflower emulsifier is safer for human health, since it is not prone to cause allergic reactions, which cannot be said about lecithin made from soybeans.

Soy is not always well tolerated by the human body and this should be taken into account when choosing food products.

Features of application

Soy lecithin, due to its positive effects and chemical properties, is currently successfully used in both the food and pharmaceutical industries.

In the food industry

Beneficial soy lecithin can today be found in the most various baked goods, chocolate products, candies, margarine, mayonnaise, pates and the like.

When added to foods, soy lecithin has several effects:

• when kneading dough, enhancing the effect of gluten, soy lecithin increases plasticity bakery products, extends their shelf life and promotes better baking of baked goods;
• accelerates the dissolution of granules, for example, powdered milk;
• enhances the effect of antioxidants by binding heavy metal salts;
• prolongs the shelf life of food.

What is soy lecithin in chocolate? Soy lecithin in chocolate is the component that gives the confectionery product its usual appearance.

Chocolate without soy lecithin will not hold its shape and will take on the appearance of an ordinary drink. Manufacturers of chocolate without soy lecithin E476 are considered good, since this food additive is one of the unsafe ingredients. Whereas the emulsifier E322 is not only allowed to be added to high-quality chocolate, but is even recommended for use as a substance with a huge number of beneficial properties.

In pharmacology

Unfortunately, in order to compensate for the deficiency of lecithin in the body, a person will have to eat a lot of food products containing this soy emulsifier, which is not always healthy and physically possible.

Therefore, pharmacologists decided that it would be more effective to take the dietary supplement soy lecithin in capsules, each of which already contains the required amount of the substance.

According to the instructions for use, granulated soy lecithin is indicated for use in such cases as:

• smoking addiction;
• liver diseases, including illnesses of viral etiology, which are accompanied by an increase in bile density and poor outflow;
• memory impairment, absent-mindedness, poor concentration;
• tendency to obesity, metabolic failure;
• multiple sclerosis;
• cardiovascular pathological conditions, which are accompanied by hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries;
• developmental delay of the child;
• soy lecithin during pregnancy is indicated for both the expectant mother and her baby (promotes the normal development of the central nervous system of the fetus, protects the mother’s body from stress, prevents possible violations from the musculoskeletal system or fat metabolism).

One of the most famous dietary supplements containing soy lecithin is Solgar natural soy lecithin in capsules of 100 pieces.

Solgar Soy Lecithin is a popular dietary supplement

This effective nutritional supplement allows you to quickly replenish the amount of lecithin the body lacks and prevent the occurrence of complex pathological processes associated with its deficiency. Unfortunately, this drug is contraindicated for women who are pregnant or are breastfeeding their baby.

Adults should take 1 capsule twice a day with food. Regarding the duration of the course of taking dietary supplements, you should consult a specialist.

Contraindications and possible harm Is soy lecithin harmful? Many supporters are interested in this healthy eating

who do not trust products containing food additives labeled “E”. Currently, there are many scientific works devoted to the benefits and harms of the emulsifier E322.

Fortunately, none of them confirm the negative impact of soy lecithin, made from natural, non-genetically engineered soybeans, on the human body. Therefore, E322 is considered to be an absolutely safe food additive.

The only contraindication to the use of soy lecithin is individual intolerance to the components of the substance. People who have a tendency to develop allergic reactions should also take lecithin with caution.

Another thing is lecithin, which is produced from genetically modified soybeans. Such a product can provoke the development of obesity, diseases of the endocrine organs, cancer, and the like.

is a collective concept that includes a whole complex of several phospholipids. It is prepared from filtered and purified soybean oil under low temperature conditions. Lecithin is most often used in everyday life and in medicine; it consists of many vitamins, oils and esters. This substance acts as an emulsifier and due to this it is widely used in the food industry. It is added to chocolate and margarine, but lecithin is most in demand in the medical industry.

The composition of soy lecithin is unique in many ways, which allows it to be widely used for therapeutic purposes as a dietary supplement to food. It has a wide range of effects on the human body, metabolic and physiological processes.

Lecithin is a fat-like substance that can be synthesized independently in the liver; in addition to soy, it is included in many food products such as sprouted corn kernels, egg yolk, peas, sunflower oil and lentils. But it is soy lecithin that is now the most common and widely used, even though its healing properties have not yet been fully studied.

Lecithin contains phosphodiethylcholine, phosphates, B vitamins, inositol, choline and linolenic acid. All these elements are involved in nourishing our brain cells. In addition, lecithin is rich in choline, which, after entering the body, is converted into acetylcholine, and this substance is involved in the process of transmitting nerve impulses, namely maintaining the balance between excitation and inhibition.

So, we came to the conclusion that soy lecithin consists of various phospholipids that underlie the cell membranes of all living organisms. It is known that the walls of all intracellular elements (mitochondria and ribosomes), as well as the intracellular substance, are a collection of biomembranes, which consists mostly of phospholipids. Of course, the state of cell membranes directly affects the functional activity of many organs.

Most phospholipids are found in our liver, as well as in the membrane of nerve fibers and cells. Soy lecithin is able to break down fats, which helps reduce cholesterol levels in the blood. In addition, it accelerates the cleansing of toxins from the body by increasing the antioxidant activity of those vitamins that are fat-soluble. This also allows you to significantly strengthen the barrier function of the liver, as well as neutralize free radicals.

Lecithin is found inside every human body, but its consumption directly depends on the intensity of physical activity and the general condition of the person. It is important to consider that with age there is a natural decrease in the content of this element. During physical activity, the amount of lecithin in the muscles increases significantly, which increases endurance; as a result, the membranes of nerve cells and fibers become noticeably thinner. In this case, the activity of the central system is disrupted, irritability, chronic fatigue syndrome, cerebrovascular accident and even a nervous breakdown occur.

Soy lecithin is a biologically active food additive; it is actively used in medicine for many ailments. The main emphasis in its use is on the almost complete absence side effects, which is especially important for those patients who are prone to developing allergic reactions, as well as for those who receive drug therapy for a long time. Lecithin is not addictive.

This substance is used for the following ailments:

Damage to the nervous system, both peripheral and central, as well as during recovery after a stroke.

Heart and vascular diseases, prevention of atherosclerosis.

At diabetes mellitus and chronic pancreatitis, since lecithin improves and strengthens the functional activity of beta cells, which are responsible for the production of insulin.

To improve memory, especially in children who have difficulty learning.

Chronic damage to the gastrointestinal tract: colitis, gastritis and gastroduodenitis.

Chronic liver diseases: fatty degeneration and hepatitis of viral etiology.

Skin diseases: psoriasis, atopic dermatitis.

Reduced immunity.

Old age – for preventive purposes.

For athletes and those individuals who are engaged in production associated with significant chemical or physical stress.

Detoxification of the body.

Various ailments of the spine and joints.

Autoimmune diseases.

A growing body is especially important for premature babies.

Gynecological diseases: mastopathy, uterine fibromatosis, uterine cancer, endometriosis, and breast cancer.

Eye ailments.

In rare cases, taking soy lecithin causes an allergic reaction, which is a contraindication to its use. Pregnant and lactating women should use this substance with caution.

Soy lecithin has a unique composition and a wide spectrum of action; it is an excellent protective and restorative agent, thanks to which it can be used for a wide variety of ailments. Before you start taking it, you should consult your doctor, this is especially important before using lecithin in childhood.

19:50

Soy lecithin plays a serious role in the development of the human body and organism. A sufficient amount of it helps ensure that the body fully performs its protective functions and the ability to recover. With a lack of substance, the aging process accelerates and a person becomes more susceptible to disease. However, you need to know that this component may have contraindications.

We will tell you more about the benefits and harms of the well-known emulsifier - soy lecithin - in our article!

Product selection and use

Lecithin – flavoring and biological additive, produced at low temperatures from purified soybean oil. This substance is found in all tissues of the human body, animals, birds, fish, and plants.

However, it is most important for a person, since in the liver it is 50%, in the spinal cord - 30, in the nervous system - 17%. The largest amount of lecithin is in our heart.

Soy lecithin is a food additive E476. It is obtained from recycled vegetable oils. It is a fatty substance, devoid of color, taste and smell.

The additive is used to impart certain properties to food products.. It is added to chocolate, ketchups and other sauces, and ready-made liquid soups.

Lecithin is one of the components of confectionery fat, thanks to it, its density, plasticity, and delamination increases. It allows you to infuse low fat content with oiliness.

An additive is used to accelerate the dissolution of milk powder and increasing the shelf life of dairy products. Under the influence of this component, ice cream and cold desserts turn into a homogeneous mass.

This component is found in food, but our body may still lack it. Nutritional supplements that can be purchased at the pharmacy can help cope with this.

Composition and calorie content

The emulsifier soy lecithin is found in many vitamins. and dietary supplements - for example, Essentiale Forte, which is a hepatoprotector of the liver.

To choose the right supplement, consider the presence or absence of a soy allergy.

If it is not there, it is better to use a component based on soy lecithin, which contains more useful substances than in an emulsifier based on sunflower oil.

Please note that the dietary supplement does not contain GMOs. An oily supplement is considered better than a granular one.

Powdered lecithin is more convenient– You can add it to food or dissolve it in drinks.

Calorie content of lecithin is 913 kcal/100 grams. 100 g of product contains 6 g of protein, 97 g of fat and 4 g of carbohydrates.

The supplement contains soy extract, choline, vitamins E, PP, group B, polyunsaturated fatty acids - linoleic, phosphatides.

Beneficial features

Substances in lecithin are responsible for the transmission of nerve impulses. Being lipotropic, they promote fat burning.

Choline and inositol help protect blood vessels, gallbladder and liver from bad cholesterol, harmful plaques.

IN in kind the supplement oxidizes and dissolves excess fat in the body. It prevents the formation of gallstones, having a choleretic effect.

Soy lecithin is used in cosmetology– it prevents the evaporation of moisture from the skin, preventing it from aging.

Medicine also actively uses this substance, releasing it in the form of tablets, solutions, capsules, granules, gels. It can be especially useful for older people, premature babies and those who are exposed to high physical and mental stress.

Such drugs are indicated for gastroduodenitis, colitis, they are prescribed to diabetics, as they can improve the production of insulin. Preparations with this substance are useful after a stroke, for diseases of the heart, blood vessels, and liver.

Antioxidant lecithin improves memory and removes toxins from the body. It can also have a beneficial effect on skin diseases.

Lecithin is useful for gynecological diseases, diseases of the mammary glands. It increases sexual activity. It is especially indicated for the fact that one lives or works in conditions with an increased radioactive background, since it removes salts of heavy metals and radionuclides.

This component helps those who are allergic to fatty protein to make their diet complete and balanced.

Features of the effect on the body

• Adult men and women. All of the listed beneficial properties are relevant for adults.

  For men, this component helps improve potency, for women - to resist gynecological diseases, and to support the body during menopause.

• Pregnant and lactating women. During pregnancy and lactation, the use of lecithin can sometimes be advisable, but it should only be taken on the recommendation of a doctor, otherwise serious complications are possible.
• Children. Lecithin is especially useful for children, particularly premature babies. Its deficiency can provoke headaches, irritability and tearfulness, speech problems, deterioration of attention, aggressiveness, and poor immunity.
• Aged people. Advanced age may be one of the main indications for additional use of the drug. It supports the body, slows down the aging process, improves memory, preventing senile dementia.

Contraindications

Along with a deficiency of lecithin, its excess is also dangerous, which can inhibit the functioning of the endocrine system. If you are hypersensitive to the product, an allergic reaction is possible. In rare cases, nausea, dyspepsia, and increased salivation may occur.

Research shows that this substance causes significantly less harm to the body than other medications, if you take it on the recommendation of a doctor and follow the instructions.

Caution when taking the drug is necessary for those who suffer from cholelithiasis, as it increases bile secretion, which provokes the movement of gallstones.

The same applies to pregnant and lactating women.

The norm of the substance for a healthy person is 5-7 grams.

The medicine can be added to food or drink, but it shouldn't be too hot.

Please note that products containing soy lecithin are not suitable for everyone.

Diabetics are prohibited from confectionery, bread is recommended to be excluded by those losing weight, and dressings with soy lecithin should not be included in the menu if you have high acidity and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Soy lecithin can be purchased in powder, capsule, and gel form. Your doctor should advise what will be best in your case. Daily norm indicated in the instructions.

On the pages of our website you will also learn - natural food additives, which is actively used in molecular gastronomy!

How to use in cooking

Lecithin has been used to thicken sauces for many years., in the manufacture of mayonnaise. The confectionery industry is unthinkable without it.

When added to chocolate, it binds sugar, cocoa powder and cocoa butters. Used for making all kinds of salad dressings , to give the correct texture to baked goods.

In molecular gastronomy, the substance is used to make foam..

You can prepare it yourself. You need to take 100 ml of base (juice, alcohol or any other drink) and 1.2 grams of soy lecithin.

The first thing to do is dissolve lecithin in liquid, stir with a whisk or blender. The temperature can be room temperature or warmer, like hot tap water. After mixing, let the solution sit for several hours.

Shake it with a blender to form foam. This may take a few minutes. Then allow the foam to stabilize for two minutes. Collect it with a spoon. Depending on what liquid you use, the foam can hold its shape from half an hour to several hours, but the sooner you apply it, the better.

Consider a recipe for vegetarian butter, devoid of vegetable fats, where this substance enters in liquid form.

The ingredients will be as follows: a quarter glass and a tablespoon of unsweetened, a teaspoon apple cider vinegar, half a glass plus two tbsp. l. melted coconut oil room temperature, tablespoon, quarter tsp. salt, 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum, teaspoon liquid soy lecithin.

How to prepare butter:

• In a small bowl, whisk soy milk, salt and vinegar. Leave the mixture to infuse for 10-15 minutes. It should thicken and have a consistency similar to yogurt.
• Melt the coconut oil in the microwave or let it cool at room temperature.
In contact with

Soy lecithin is a fat-like substance that contains phospholipids and triglycerides. It is produced from soybean oil after refining. It is used in medicine, as a food biologically active additive, in the food and chemical industries.

Lecithin has been known to doctors since the mid-19th century. The first time was isolated from egg yolk. This is a substance consisting of 60-65% phospholipids. The rest consists of triglycerides and a very small proportion of other elements. Soy lecithin contains the following phospholipids:

• Phosphatidylcholine;
• Phosphatidylethanolamine;
• Inositol-containing phosphatides;
• Phosphatidylserine.

It also contains carbohydrates, fatty acids, esters, biochromes, tocopherols and others. Under the influence of digestive enzymes, it is broken down, oleic, phosphoric and other acids, glycerin, and choline are formed.

Health effects

Lecithin is a source of phospholipids, without which the existence of cells, and therefore the stable functioning of the entire organism, is impossible.

Inositol and phosphatidylcholine are involved in the exchange of nerve impulses. These substances are lipotropics, break down and remove excess fat. Thanks to them, cholesterol is not deposited in the blood vessels, gall bladder and liver. They have an active choleretic effect, prevent the formation of gallstones, and improve the body’s absorption of vitamins and medications.

Medicines with lecithin are prescribed for diabetes mellitus, after a stroke, and for heart and vascular diseases. It stimulates the production of insulin.

Soy lecithin is especially beneficial for children and the elderly. It improves memory, has antioxidant properties and removes toxins from the body. It has a beneficial effect on the condition of patients with psoriasis and dermatitis. Helps maintain the health of people living in areas with increased radioactivity, stimulates the excretion of radionuclides and heavy metal salts.



Consequences of shortage

With a deficiency of lecithin, the membranes of neuron processes and the outer membrane walls of cells become thinner, cerebral circulation is disrupted, irritability, insomnia, constant fatigue appear, memory and concentration decrease. With a long-term lack of this substance, the functioning of the liver, digestive, cardiovascular systems, and kidneys is disrupted.

You can restore lecithin concentration by increasing the content of liver, peanuts, eggs, and meat in your diet.

The rate of lecithin consumption for a person at different times of the day depends on the degree of physical activity. At elevated physical activity the concentration of lecithin in the muscles increases. This makes them more resilient. During such periods, consumption must be increased.

But this must be done under the supervision of a doctor, because large doses require adjustments to the diet and the use of additional vitamin C and calcium.

Benefits and harms

Despite the enormous positive effect on the human body, soy lecithin is harmful if consumed uncontrollably. In case of overdose, it inhibits the endocrine system and causes allergies. Doctors say that the harm from it is much less than from many medications.

Application

Soy lecithin is an excellent natural emulsifier and antioxidant. Thanks to these properties, as well as its beneficial effects on the functioning of almost all human systems and organs, it is widely used in many areas of medicine and industries.. It is added during the production process to margarine, milk and vegetable mixtures. It increases the resistance of fats to separation, increases the density and plasticity of products.

In confectionery factories it is added to icing and chocolate products to improve viscosity. When baking muffins, pies, and cookies, it improves the removal of products from the mold. It is a significant component of confectionery fat.

In bakeries, it is added to the dough when baking bread to improve its workability. Such bread does not lose its original properties and appearance longer.



Lecithin retains moisture well in skin cells, which makes it young and elastic. It is actively used by cosmetologists as part of masks, gels, and creams. The pharmaceutical industry produces dietary supplements and medicines containing soy lecithin.

Plays a significant role in the construction of the central and peripheral nervous systems. This is important for a child when nervous system is just being formed. Lecithin activates concentration and thinking. Choline is involved in memory development. A sufficient amount in a child's diet is important because it supports fat metabolism, participates in hematopoiesis, stimulating the formation of red blood cells, and activates energy production. Therefore, soy lecithin is actively used in the manufacture of baby food products. It is added to baby cookies, porridge, puree.

Your feedback on the article: