E406 Agar Agar

E406 AGAR AGAR

Agar agar is a natural, indigestible polysaccharide, derived from several red algae belonging to the Gelidiaceae family, currently considered harmless and non-toxic.

It has mainly a thickening and stabilizing function, and is used both by the food industry - especially for the preparation of puddings, jellies, jams, sweets, creams, canned meats etc. - than from the pharmaceutical one.

Agar agar is also used in phytotherapy, as a sedative, anti-inflammatory and protective of the gastric and intestinal mucosa, thanks to the thin layer it creates on these walls. It is a compound that, in addition to being indigestible, has the ability to retain large amounts of water: these two characteristics make it capable of giving a great sensation of gastric fullness; for this reason it is often used in diet foods.

At the moment they are not known, at the concentrations normally used, negative side effects, while at higher doses (> 5 g), it can cause laxative effects by increasing the fecal mass (especially in children), flatulence and swelling due to the fermentation of the compound by the intestinal microflora.

ADI DOSE: /