Chem journal Kristen Brown 2

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Chemistry

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Jan 9, 2024

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Brown 1 Kristen Brown Doreena Patrick Chem 101-Q2828 11/30/2023 Almond Milk For this assignment, I have chosen to examine surfactants/emulsifiers found in almond milk. I recently started to feel so heavy after consuming almond milk, which makes me pretty sad since cow milk has a not so great effect on my stomach as well. I did a deep dive on the internet on why that could be, and was horrified to see that the leading cause to my bloat was the surfactants/emulsifiers being used in almond milk. Almond milk is supposed to be a healthy alternative, but it is absolutely anything but health conscious these days. This journal is actually very personal, as I have recently discovered a budding hate towards capitalist America and their ventures into food, specifically food that I have loved for years and absolutely desecrating the brand after purchasing the company. Since my newly found enlightenment, I have been on the hunt for a great almond milk with no gums, vegetable oils, or other weird fillers, after discovering my favorite brand of almond milk had been compromised by crappy ingredients. First, what is a surfactant? A surfactant is a substance that lowers the surface tension between two phases, such as a liquid and a gas, or a liquid and a solid. This makes it easier for the two phases to mix or spread . Ok, what is an emulsifier?

Brown 2 An emulsifier is a type of surfactant that helps to form and stabilize an emulsion, which is a mixture of two immiscible liquids, such as oil and water. An emulsifier has both a hydrophilic (water-loving) and a hydrophobic (water-hating) part, which allows it to interact with both the oil and water phases and prevent them from separating. So, are all surfactants/emulsifiers bad for me, or just certain ones? Why are they found in my food? Lets deep dive into exactly what is found in Silk Almond Milk, formerly known as my favorite brand. Some of the surfactants and emulsifiers that are commonly found in almond milk are: Gellan gum : This is a polysaccharide that is produced by a bacteria called Sphingomonas elodea. It helps to stabilize and thicken the almond milk, preventing it from separating. It is also a soluble dietary fiber (Sgoutas, D., 2021). Gellan gum causes some people to experience bloating, gas, or diarrhea when large amounts are consumed. Gellan gum can affect the microbiota and increase water content in stool. It can also interfere with the absorption of some minerals, such as calcium, iron, and zinc. Locust bean gum : This is a polysaccharide that is extracted from the seeds of the carob tree. It also helps to stabilize and thicken the almond milk, as well as to improve its texture and mouthfeel. It is also a soluble dietary fiber (Meredith, 2022). Locust bean gum is known to cause digestive issues such as flatulence, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, especially if you are allergic to legumes. Xanthan gum : This is a polysaccharide that is produced by a bacteria called Xanthomonas campestris. It also helps to stabilize and thicken the almond milk, as well as to enhance its viscosity and creaminess. It is also a soluble dietary fiber (Meredith, 2022). However, some people may be sensitive to xanthan gum, especially if they have a

Brown 3 history of allergy to corn, wheat, or soy, which are the common sources of the sugars used to produce xanthan gum. Xanthan gum may also cause digestive issues, such as bloating, gas, or laxative effects, in some people. Guar gum : This is a polysaccharide that is extracted from the seeds of the guar plant. It also helps to stabilize and thicken the almond milk, as well as to improve its smoothness and shelf life. It is also a soluble dietary fiber (Meredith, 2022). However, some people may be allergic to guar gum, especially if they have a history of allergy to legumes. Guar gum may also cause digestive issues, such as flatulence, abdominal cramps, or diarrhea, in some people. Guar gum may also lower blood sugar levels, which can be a problem for people with diabetes or hypoglycemia. Carrageenan : This is a polysaccharide that is extracted from red seaweeds. It also helps to stabilize and thicken the almond milk, as well as to create a gel-like consistency. It is also a soluble dietary fiber (Meredith, 2022). However, some people may be sensitive to carrageenan, especially if they have a history of inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Carrageenan may also cause inflammation in the gut, which can lead to digestive issues, such as bloating, gas, or diarrhea, in some people. Carrageenan may also be contaminated with degraded carrageenan, which is a potential carcinogen. Lecithin : This is a phospholipid that is derived from soybeans, sunflowers, or eggs. It helps to emulsify the almond milk, meaning it helps to mix the water and oil components together. It also helps to prevent oxidation and rancidity of the almond milk (James, I., n.d.). However, some people may be allergic to lecithin, especially if they have a history of allergy to soy, sunflower, or eggs. Lecithin may also cause digestive issues,

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Brown 4 such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, in some people. Lecithin may also interact with some medications, such as blood thinners, antidepressants, or cholesterol-lowering drugs. Therefore, surfactants and emulsifiers are useful for improving the quality of food products, but they may also have some negative effects on the health and enjoyment of consumers. More expensive alternatives could be used in place of cheaper surfactants and emulsifiers that serve no purpose to overall human health, or have more cons than pros. It is important to read the labels of the food products you buy and to be aware of the sources, functions, and effects of the surfactants and emulsifiers they contain.

Brown 5 Works Cited James, I. (n.d.). Surfactants and emulsifiers . DERMASCOPE. https://www.dermascope.com/ingredients/surfactants-and-emulsifiers Meredith. (2022, November 1). Choosing a healthy Almond Milk . Feed Them Wisely. https://feedthemwisely.com/choosing-a-healthy-almond-milk Sgoutas, D. (2021, December 5). Are the emulsifiers in almond milk bad for your diet? . The Smoothie Diet. https://www.smoothiediet.com/emulsifiers-almond-milk-bad/