Natural natural dye E163 or anthocyanin is widely used in the food industry today in the production of various food products. This substance belongs to the group of anthocyanins, which includes various pigments contained in plant cells.
Translated from the Greek, anthocyanin is a blue flower. In its natural environment, it is used to attract insects, thereby contributing to the pollination of flowers. It gives a saturated bright shade to plants, protects them from ultraviolet radiation and increased solar activity.
Is such a natural supplement harmful or beneficial? What will result in the use of E163 dye for the human body? These and other questions will be considered in the next article.
Description of the appearance of the substance and its properties
Other names of this substance are: enokrasitel, enociania, anthocyane, grape skin extract, anthocyanins, eno and others. These are dyes of natural plant origin, which are contained in the cells of various plants. The most common representatives that contain the largest number of anthocyanins are: wild rose, strawberry, red grapes, black chokeberry, blueberry, black currant, elderberry, cherry, red cabbage.
Such substances are extracted from plants using an extraction process, the solvents for which can be slightly acidified or sulphitized water, carbon dioxide, methanol or ethyl alcohol. Often in such compounds there are various impurities, such as tannins, sugar, raw materials and minerals.
The appearance of the dye is quite diverse. It can be either in liquid, or in pasty and even powdered form. E103 additive has a characteristic specific aroma, as well as different variations of shades of red, blue, violet and even green. The intensity of these shades depends on the level of acidity of a particular environment.
Such substances are very soluble in water and practically insoluble in ethyl alcohol.
Use of food supplement E103 in various fields
Most often this natural dye is used for coloring wine, confectionery, soft drinks and various sauces. It is also used to add color to fruit products undergoing various processing, mayonnaise and some types of cheese.
For dyeing milk and dairy products, this dye is not used, because of the acidity of the medium in them, it becomes blue, not red.
The use of this dye in the pharmaceutical industry is very common. With it, they paint various dietary supplements, vitamin complexes.
Apply E103 and as drugs intended for general strengthening of the body, which are composed of antioxidants. They also significantly reduce the risks of cancer and are used as additives and antioxidants in anticancer drugs.
Such a substance has gained a great popularity in the cosmetic industry.
Cosmetic creams, masks and other products are rich in anthocyanins, caring for youth, elasticity and beauty of the skin.
Also used such a dye for dyeing organic solar cells, due to the fact that anthocyanins have the ability to absorb light waves and convert them into electrons.
Useful and dangerous to human properties of anthocyanins
Research in this area continues to this day. Their study has highly encouraging, positive results. In the United States of America, a series of experiments conducted on anthocyanins showed that such substances significantly reduce the risk of cancer of the small intestine and esophagus.
Since 2007, anthocyanins have been tested in humans. Thanks to this, it became known that freeze-dried fruit and berries are the most useful for achieving the best therapeutic effect. They contain a much higher concentration of antioxidants than in fresh versions.
Anthocyanins are a very healthy substance. They contribute to the removal of free radicals and dangerous toxins from the body, prevent exposure to ultraviolet radiation, and are used as a preventive measure against the onset and development of cancer tumors. This dietary supplement is a component of various drugs used in the complex treatment of bacterial infections, neurological diseases, eye diseases: cataracts and glaucoma.
Very well proven in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, contributes to a significant reduction in its possible effects.
Lack of substances in antioxidant properties manifests itself:
- decreased immunity, general weakness;
- frequent colds and infectious diseases;
- increased nervousness and anxiety;
- constant stress and depression.
In order to avoid such conditions, it is necessary to eat foods containing an increased amount of anthocyanins. But even those products that contain E103 dietary supplement can be useful. Therefore, do not be afraid of them.
Trouble can occur only with people who are very sensitive to such substances. The maximum allowed daily dose of anthocyanins is 2.5 milligrams per kilogram of weight.
Such a food additive is universally approved for production and use, including in the Russian Federation and in European countries.
Anthocyanins are a widespread natural food supplement with high antioxidant properties. It is marked on foodstuff with the sign E103.
But finding such a badge on packages should not frighten the consumer, because such a substance is absolutely harmless.
Moreover, such a dye benefits the body and has a positive effect on human health. Its most important quality is the prevention of the onset and development of malignant tumors. In addition, anthocyanins have a number of positive qualities, which makes it popular not only in the food industry, but also in the field of medicine and cosmetology.