Liquid and powder soy lecithin is a common food additive usually derived from different sources, but the most common is soy. In most cases, people use soy lecithin as a lubricant or an emulsifier while consuming their food. Additionally, it is used as a protector against flavors and, at times, as an antioxidant. It sounds so good as a food additive, but it has had controversies over its use, with adverse reactions stated to cause:
- Diarrhea
- Feeling of fullness
- Nausea/vomiting
- Stomach pains
- Increased saliva in the mouth
However, soy lecithin is “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) by the US-FDA. However, as a food consumer, if you are keen on the ingredients of some of the food products you buy, you must have come across “soy lecithin,” as it is currently one of the widely utilized food additives. Lecithin is considered safer when used in foods than if it’s taken as a supplement.
Soy lecithin is readily available in health stores and almost all convenience stores near you—not to mention online, from suppliers like National Lecithin. It’s present in processed foods such as pasta, bread, sauces, soy, cereals, and salad dressings. People consuming foods with soy lecithin have had varied thoughts on its health benefits and threats.
The Manufacture of Soy Lecithin
Soy lecithin, as an emulsifier, is a common ingredient in most foods. What does it mean when we say it’s an emulsifier? It makes it possible for water and oil to mix in a state that would be otherwise impossible. With that said, it implies soy lecithin helps in preventing food from getting sticky. Let’s take a quick look at how soy lecithin is manufactured.
The process begins with soybean oil extracted from raw soybeans by a chemical solvent. This soy oil is constantly mixed with water ensuring the lecithin part of the oil is separated. After lecithin separation, the portion is dried and bleached with hydrogen peroxide. Note that actual levels of Lecithin might vary from one manufacturer to the other depending on the process. Nevertheless, the composition is still the same as soy lecithin is composed of phosphatidylcholine and soybean.
Some individuals might be concerned about the toxic chemicals used in the production of soy lecithin. Worry not, as the amount of soy lecithin added to processed foods is usually maintained at minimal levels of less than 1% of the processed food.
Lecithin Benefits
Now that we have understood what soy lecithin is and its manufacturing processes, it is time to look at the benefits we gain from consuming Lecithin.
Skin Care
Most of the skin care products that we use have soybean or sunflower lecithin as the main ingredient. It helps in soothing and moisturizing the skin. In skin care products, Lecithin is applied as an emollient as it helps the skin restore hydration, making it smooth.
Some people have used lecithin to cure acne, although there is no evidence on whether use on its own is effective. There are also claims that you can ingest lecithin capsules to improve your skin tone; however, this is yet to be proven.
Boosting Overall Brain Performance
Lecithin contains a chemical known as choline that has an essential role in the brain since it is known to increase the levels of mental alertness. Studies are underway to determine whether Lecithin can help cure neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s. The research also aims to understand if Lecithin can treat illnesses that affect the nervous system. Although there is limited evidence on this, choline is said to have the ability to assist in cleaning neural pathways, which in turn boosts brain functioning.
It’s evident that without proper levels of choline in the body, someone is likely to suffer from body organ failure, muscle damage, and fatty liver. These are just other risks that we are likely to suffer if the levels of choline in our bodies are not well maintained. Besides improving overall brain functioning, it also enhances the functioning of the entire body and vital organs.
Assists in Improving the Digestion Process
Lecithin, an emulsifier, plays a critical role in improving mucus levels in your gastric tract. With the optimum mucus levels in the intestine, digestion is made more accessible, not forgetting it protects the digestive system walls against corrosion by digestive acids.
It has been tested that Lecithin could help treat people who have ulcerative colitis and inflammatory bowel disease; despite not suffering from any severe gastric disorder, you might also consider using Lecithin to maintain your digestive tract healthily at all times.
Assists Mothers During Lactating Period
Breastfeeding experts in the healthcare sector have recommended that consuming Lecithin for breastfeeding mothers can significantly assist in clearing breast ducts. Blocked breast ducts can easily lead to the breastfeeding mother developing mastitis, a condition that is painful as the milk in the breast gets thick and clogged. To avoid this condition, it is advisable for breastfeeding mothers to incorporate a small amount of soy lecithin in their meals which will significantly help in thinning the breast milk.
Can Aid in Reducing Cholesterol Levels
One of the best-known health benefits of consuming soy lecithin is lowering cholesterol levels. Based on medical research, it has been discovered that soy lecithin has the ability to balance cholesterol levels. It can increase the good cholesterol (HDL) and lower the bad (LDL) within the body. Apart from Lecithin in soy protein, individuals use other components to treat cholesterol levels to get an extra boost.
Aids in Improving Heart Health
Are you at risk of developing heart disease or high blood pressure? Then this is for you, Lecithin from soybean can advance cardiovascular well-being. Since Lecithin can balance cholesterol levels, there will be less build-up of fats in the arteries. In turn, lecithin consumption helps reduce the risks of developing cardiovascular diseases.
Health Concerns on Soybean Lecithin
Recently, there have been concerns about whether consuming soy lecithin is healthy or risky for us. We’ve already seen the benefits associated with its consumption, but consumers are concerned since some claim it is derived from genetically modified soy. It is easy to deal with this issue as you can always look for organic soy lecithin, which is safe and healthy for human consumption.
Contact us today for all your lecithin needs. We can supply small quantities or truckloads for larger needs. We are your number one lecithin supplier, shipping all over the United States and Canada.