Glycerin and its use. Nutritional Glycerin

A substance called "glycerin" was first obtained in 1779 as a waste in the production of soap. Since then, it has been successfully used in almost all areas of industry, including food.

Glycerin - what is it?

To date, food glycerin is produced from almost all types of oils and animal fats by hydrolysis, which consists in the decomposition of the original substance when interacting with water.

In addition to the traditional name, this substance has a couple of generally accepted designations:

• E422, used mainly in the food industry;
• Glycerol.

In its chemical composition, the substance is a triatomic alcohol, and by physical properties, glycerin is a viscous and transparent liquid with a sweetish flavor, there is no smell. It is completely soluble in water and mixed with any of its volume.

Food glycerin and technical: what's the difference?

Not every type of glycerin is used in the manufacture of hygiene products or food products. After the discovery of the substance formula for two and a quarter of a century, thousands of experiments were performed over it, as a result of which there was a clear delineation of glycerin into the following species:

• technical;
• Pharmacy;
• Food;
• special.

Special glycerol is used, for example, as the basis of liquid for electronic cigarettes, the main constituent is propylene glycol. Food glycerin, also known as food additive E422, is made only from natural animal fats or oils. The main difference between food glycerin and technical or pharmacy is the content of pure glycerol in the substance (from 99%).

Safety of food glycerin

In most countries, food glycerine is widely used, the composition of which at the state level is allowed to be used as a food additive for the production of food. The substance is completely safe for humans, but for some kidney and heart diseases due to its dehydrating properties, use is recommended to be minimized.

On the other hand, food glycerin is harmless to human health for the following reasons:

• It is a natural product for the body, as it is self-produced in the gastrointestinal tract when the fat that enters the bile dissolves from the food;
• Glycerin is absolutely non-toxic;
• Science has shown that in small doses glycerin favorably affects the mucous membranes of various organs, the walls of blood vessels and the skin.

The use of glycerol

In the food industry, glycerin is widely used. Food supplement E422 is considered one of the most common and is used:

• When making chewing gum, acting as a substitute for sugar;
• In the production of bakery products, preventing the formation of a hard crust on the bread;
• When making confectionery products, giving chocolate bars a more gentle and mild taste;
• In the production of non-alcoholic carbonated drinks and various aperitifs - gives the taste more sweetness and softness;
• In the production of pasta, in particular noodles and vermicelli for the removal of tackiness and rasvastostosti.

Also, food glycerin is used to improve the shelf life of a large group of grocery products, to improve their appearance under certain storage conditions. Extract of glycerin is often wetted with dried fruits before laying them on the counter.

In order to make tea or coffee more saturated and specific taste, some manufacturers treat them with glycerin. And even tobacco, which is difficult to attribute to food products, is processed with an extract of E422 to eliminate its natural unpleasant odor.

As can be seen from the wide scope of use, glycerol is a universal additive for the production of culinary and confectionery products.

The use of glycerin in cosmetology and medicine

For medical and cosmetic purposes, pharmacy, and not food glycerin, is used. The pharmacy sells this substance, which, by the way, enjoys considerable demand, mainly in liquid or gel-like forms.

Glycerin has a positive effect on the skin of the hands, softens it and nourishes, prevents drying. Of glycerin, sold in pharmacies, at home make hygienic cosmetics - cream, shampoos, face masks and hair.

Glycerin is also used as a medicine for the treatment of certain diseases. In particular, oral administration allows to reduce intracranial and ocular pressure, to increase osmotic pressure.

Rectal administration of glycerin helps with irritation of the rectal mucosa, stimulates its contractions. To achieve the laxative effect, it is sufficient to administer 5 ml of glycerin, however, when using hemorrhoids and inflammatory bowel processes, the use of the substance is not allowed.