Today, many are fighting for healthier foods in the United States. Even if you’re careful, there are over 10,000 chemicals that are in foods. Some that can cause health, developmental, and cognitive problems are allowed in food.
While it might seem overwhelming trying to figure out what’s safe and what’s not, there’s hope. This article will take a look at calcium chloride. Read on to see whether this chemical is safe or not in your food.
What Is Calcium Chloride?
Calcium chloride is in food and in hazardous materials management. It’s often used as a drying agent (desiccant). It’s used in food in order to absorb any moisture to prevent bacteria.
You can also find the calcium chloride formula in both pre and post-harvest to reduce decay, prevent diseases, and maintain the firmness of fruits and vegetables. It helps to prevent ice from forming. Rock salt is a type of calcium chloride.
The Different Types of Calcium Chloride
Calcium chloride is found in 2 types. Anhydrous and dihydrate. Anhydrous is a drying agent for gases and liquids. It can draw up moisture.
Dihydrate is a common form that you’ll find at the market. It’s great for dust control.
Is Calcium Chloride Safe To Eat?
Calcium chloride in food preparation causes food to taste salty without having to add salt. It’s a firming agent and is found in tofu and cheese. Many see calcium chloride as safe in food.
Taking Calcium Chloride
Some take calcium chloride in order to protect your heart from high potassium or magnesium levels. It can also help to prevent low calcium.
Before taking calcium chloride you’ll want to speak with your doctor about any herbs and other medications that you’re taking. This includes any medical conditions that you have.
Tell your doctor about any previous or current allergies that you have with calcium chloride. It’s especially important to discuss if you’re taking digoxin or ceftriaxone.
Potential Side Effects
As with any medication, there are potential side effects that can occur due to calcium chloride. It might change how your heartbeat sounds, or cause belly or back pain.
Keep in mind that it can cause tissue damage. This happens when it leaks from the veins. Let your doctor know about any skin sores, pain, swelling, redness, leaking of fluid, or burning.
It can also cause:
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Bone pain
- Increased thirst
- Bad taste in your mouth
- Not hungry
- Constipation
- Upset stomach
- Hot flashes
Keep in mind that these aren’t every side effect that might occur. Speak with your doctor about any side effects that you notice.
Cheese Making
You might notice that goat or pasteurized milk has less calcium overall. This is due to the amount of calcium chloride since it impacts the coagulation time. When cheesemakers add calcium chloride, they can control when the coagulation process occurs.
How much they add will be based on:
- Processing Conditions
- The pH of the milk
- The desired coagulating time
Brewing
Calcium chloride is added during the brewing process as well. This is in order to make sure that the correct mineral levels are achieved.
Preserving Vegetables
It can either be made into a solution that you can dip the products into, or sprayed onto fruits and vegetables. This helps reduce the loss of Vitamin C. It also reduces its respiratory strength.
Purification
Many bottled water companies will use ingredients such as salt, minerals, potassium bicarbonate, calcium chloride, etc. It helps to prevent overhydration as well. This is due to balancing electrolytes in the body.
How Calcium Chloride Is Made
CaC12 comes from 3 production processes. These are the natural brine, ammonia-soda, and limestone-hydrochloric acid process.
First, there’s the reaction of sodium chloride and calcium carbonate with ammonia. Next, hydrochloric acid reacts with limestone. Lastly, other brine and salt lakes are purified.
The Differences Between Calcium Chloride and Other Ingredients
There are many similarities between calcium gluconate, lactate, and chloride. The main difference is that CaC12 is the highest calcium level. Calcium gluconate and lactate have no flavor, while CaC12 has a high calcium level.
Taking Calcium Chloride With Magnesium
If you have low body nutrients, you can take magnesium and calcium chloride together. You might not want to take them together regularly.
It might cause a disruption of both supplements over time. This can cause health effects. It’s best to speak with your doctor to come up with the best treatment plan.
Other Calcium Chloride Uses
You can find it in a variety of cleaners around the home. These can include facial serums, stain removers, moisture absorbers, toilet bowl cleaners, fabric softeners, and ice melts.
If you need to increase the amount of calcium in your body, then your doctor might prescribe calcium chloride. Speak with your doctor about the correct amount for your age range.
Most people get enough from the different foods that they eat. You can find calcium in yogurt, milk, kale, grains, broccoli, and cheeses.
It’s used in neonatal nutrition as well. Doctors will choose it as a safer alternative to calcium gluconate. Calcium gluconate can lead to higher levels of aluminum.
Exploring More About Calcium Chloride
After exploring this guide, you should have a better understanding of what calcium chloride is used for. Take your time deciding if calcium chloride is right for you and your family, and check all ingredients.
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