E173 - Aluminum

Characteristic

E173 aluminum is a food additive made of natural metal with a silver-white or gray color, which is used as a metal surface coating and as a colorant in food and beverages. Aluminum also has many other applications, such as for food packaging film and even in some water purification processes (for example, to help remove contaminants and other harmful microorganisms from a water source). In order to produce E173 commercially, bauxite is extracted, purified and electrolyzed in molten cryolite.

Use

The food additive E 173 is used for coloring cakes and various pills. The substance perfectly protects the products from spoilage and mold, gives the confectionery a silver color.

In nature, aluminum is found in various minerals, bauxite, nepheline, alumina and others. It is used in perfumery (for the production of deodorants, air fresheners and air fresheners, etc.), in jewelry, in construction.

Aluminum is added to drinking water in some areas to remove discoloration. It is widely used in treatment with antacids. It may also be taken from non-alcoholic beverages in aluminum cans used before the date of sale, where it is found that the aluminum content of the beverages exceeds certain drinking water limits, as well as through the use of aluminum utensils, pans and cooking utensils. .

Examples of foods and beverages that include E173 :

• coating for pills and tablets;
• dragee coating;
• confectionery with flour;
• cake decoration.

The daily dose should not exceed 2 mg / kg body weight.

Effects on the body

Although aluminum may be part of a healthy diet, intake of large amounts or buildup is associated with skeletal deformities, Alzheimer's disease and osteoporosis. There is growing evidence to suggest that the accumulation of aluminum in the cells of the nervous system can be potentially toxic. It is found at unusually high levels in the brain cells of people with Alzheimer's disease, accumulated in neurofibrillary tangles and neurite plaques. It is not yet known whether there is a causal or consequential role in the disease. Several reports also suggest that high aluminum intake may have adverse effects on phosphorus and calcium metabolism in the human body and cause or exacerbate skeletal abnormalities such as osteoporosis. 

Aluminum is generally considered harmful if inhaled or ingested on its own.

According to some sources, aluminum is harmful to human health because too much of it in the body leads to high intoxication. Nutritional supplement E 173 , deposited in various cells in the human body, is difficult to remove, which is very dangerous for people with kidney problems. Oversaturation of the body with the element can disrupt the functions of the nervous system, cause skin rashes, various stomach disorders, diseases of the musculoskeletal system; when deposited in soft tissues can lead to the development of fibrosis. The large accumulation of aluminum impairs memory, concentration, increases the risk of bone fractures. It is banned for use as a food product in many countries.