Author: Nia Rouseberg
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minutes
Last Updated:
January 27, 2026
Characteristic: Glycine is an odorless and colorless crystalline powder or crystals. Completely soluble in water, in alcohol and ether is practically insoluble. It occurs naturally in all living things
Glycine is an odorless and colorless crystalline powder or crystals. It is completely soluble in water, practically insoluble in alcohol and ether. It occurs naturally in all living organisms (without exception), in the complex composition of protein molecules. In industry, it is obtained by the reaction of ammonia with chloroacetic acid.
In the food industry, E 640 is used to optimize the taste and aroma of some beverages, mainly alcoholic. Certain compounds and compositions, such as glycine and ferrous sulphate, enrich the salt with iron ions; A compound of calcium and glycine is used to saturate beverages with calcium.
Apart from being a food additive, the substance is used for peptide synthesis, when mixed with some other acids it is used for parenteral nutrition.
Glycine can rarely cause allergic reactions. The supplement E 640 acts as a regulator of metabolic processes in the body, activates the protection of the CNS, reduces mental and emotional stress, has a beneficial effect on mental activity. There is an improvement in mood when using the substance, as well as easier sleep. Studies show that glycine reduces the toxic and destructive effects of alcohol on the nervous system.
The maximum permissible daily dose safe for humans is not specified.