Content
The benefits and harms of sodium cyclamate consist in a double effect on the human body. On the one hand, it is a beneficial supplement that helps diabetics avoid consuming regular sugar.
On the other hand, this type of sweetener is harmful to the body in that it can lead to metabolic disorders, provoke allergies in people prone to allergic reactions. Promotes the development of a number of cancers, causes swelling.
The history of the appearance of sodium cyclamate
The sugar substitute sodium cyclamate, or E952, was discovered in 1937. The letter "E" in front of the numbers means that the substance is produced in Europe.
This discovery belongs to graduate student Michael Swede, who, while working on the synthesis of an antipyretic agent, accidentally dipped a cigarette into the medicine and, when he took it back into his mouth, felt a sweet aftertaste.
From the very beginning of the invention of cyclamate, it was sold as a drug to mask bitterness. And in 1958, the United States recognized it as a safe and healthy food supplement. From that moment, the use of sodium cyclamate in diabetes began.
Further studies in rats showed that cyclamate does more harm than good: small mammals develop bladder cancer. Scientists have shown that gut bacteria break down cyclamate to form the toxic cyclohexylamine, after which the food supplement was banned in the United States.
In Russia, E952 was excluded from the list of safe food additives in 2010.
However, disputes about the benefits of chemically produced flavor enhancers, sugar substitutes, food colors are still ongoing.
Characteristics and features of sodium cyclamate
Sodium cyclamate is the sodium salt of cyclamic acid. The chemical formula of the sugar substitute is as follows - С₆Н₁₂NNaO₃S. The sweetener is marked as E952. It is a crystalline, colorless powder that is odorless.
This powder has a very strong sweet taste and therefore cannot be consumed in large quantities. In combination with the sweeteners acesulfame or aspartame, the properties of cyclamate as a sweetener are increased.
Another useful feature of cyclamate is heat resistance. The powder tends to melt when heated to 265 degrees Celsius, so confectioners use it in baked goods, and chefs add it to hot desserts.
Another property of the substitute is the absence of calories. It is not broken down in the body and is excreted in its pure form by the kidneys and urinary system.
Caloric content of sodium cyclamate
One of the useful properties of cyclamate is its low calorie content. Since it is mixed with food in small quantities, it does not affect the energy value of the product or drink.
This sweetener has no glycemic index. This means its beneficial property of not changing blood glucose levels, which is very important for diabetics.
Milford uses this supplement to make sweeteners in diabetic diets.
Is there any benefit from sodium cyclamate
The beneficial properties of cyclamate are that it helps people with diabetes. Otherwise, the benefits of this product to the human body are minimal.
And yet it is:
- the production of sweet dishes: buns, cakes becomes simpler and cheaper, since the amount of sweetener used in the recipe is 50 times less than sugar;
- good solubility of cyclamate in coffee, tea, as well as in cold milk drinks, juices and water;
- zero calorie content of the product is useful for those who love sweets, but at the moment are losing weight: you can lose weight with the use of cyclamate without hindrance.
E952 has no other beneficial effect on the body.
The harm of sodium cyclamate and side effects
Such a minimum of useful properties and a ban on production and distribution in some countries raises suspicions and questions about the actual health benefits and harms of the drug.
Food supplement E952 is dangerous when consumed for a long time and when added to food in large quantities. The danger and harm to the body are reduced to the following negative consequences:
- disorders of the heart and blood vessels;
- swelling and metabolic disorders;
- harm to the kidneys and the activity of the bladder, in some cases - urolithiasis;
- according to research in scientific laboratories - the formation of cancer cells in the bladder of rats;
- an allergic reaction to the presence of cyclamate in some sugar substitutes, which appears as itchy skin, hives, and eye inflammation.
In the absence of all side effects, it will be possible to determine what harm was caused to the body by this substance only after decades.
Carcinogenicity of the sweetener
The carcinogenicity of the substance has been proven by scientists in experiments on rats. Human data on the dangers of sodium cyclamate as a carcinogenic agent have not been confirmed.
Sodium cyclamate during pregnancy
The supplement should not be consumed during pregnancy. This is due to the presence of special bacteria in some people, which, when combined with this substance, have a negative reaction to the fetus.
Daily dose
The daily dose of cyclamate is 11 mg / kg of body weight for an adult. It is recommended that you monitor your intake of the supplement within the prescribed dose, as it is very easy to exceed it. For example, in two liters of a carbonated drink, the sweetener content is several times the daily requirement.
Areas of application of the additive E952
First of all, E952 is widely used in pharmaceuticals. It contains well-known sweeteners for diabetics. Lozenges and cough tablets also contain a certain amount of sugar substitute.
This sweetener is also used in pastry shops for making buns, cakes, and carbonated drinks. In addition, it can be found in low-alcohol drinks, ice cream, and ready-made desserts. The content of cyclamate is high in sweetened or sweet products, where in relation to sugar it can be used in a ratio of 1:10. Candy, marmalade, marshmallows, and chewing gums usually contain cyclamate.
And despite the above harm, E952 is added in the production of cosmetics to lipstick, lip gloss.
Conclusion
The benefits and harms of sodium cyclamate for each person may be individual. The substance has no direct evidence of indisputable use. Serious harm in the form of the appearance of malignant tumors was identified only in experiments with animals. Therefore, people are advised to use it with caution.
