
People sensitive to carrageenan report experiencing "belly bloat," diarrhea, cramps, vomiting, and nausea, as well as more severe reactions such as irritable bowel syndrome and severe inflammatory bowel disease. I only share brands and products that I love and trust.Carrageenan's chemical structure causes an immune response similar to that of bacteria like Salmonella.

The Top 6 Benefits of Collagen Supplementsĭisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links which means I will make a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase after clicking my link. Intermittent Fasting: 8 Mind-Blowing Health Benefits! Rosemary and Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse The Ultimate Guide to Non-Toxic, Natural Dental Care, Here are my favorite nut milk brands that do not contain Carrageenan : Califia Farms Almond Milk and Califia Farms Oatmilk. Let me know your thoughts in the comments! If you have any GI issues, it might be wise to avoid this additive altogether. There’s a lot of evidence stating that Carrageenan can be extremely harmful to one’s health, especially if consumed regularly. You’d be amazed at the number of products that contain this additive…like almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk etc. The Cornucopia Institute created a Buying Guide to help you shop carrageenan-free products. Look at your nut milk such as almond milk, oat milk, and even your ice cream brand.Ĭheck Food Lists. If you experience gastrointestinal symptoms ranging from bloating to irritable bowel syndrome to inflammatory bowel disease, try cutting out Carrageenan from your diet entirely and see if your symptoms improve. In the late 1960s, researchers even linked the food-grade version to GI diseases in lab animals, including ulcerative colitis and intestinal lesions. It has been found that inflammation is the precursor to over 100 human diseases. But as mentioned above, we don’t know how the food-grade one reacts once exposed to our stomach acid and GI environment.Īccording to Cornucopia Institute, the chemical structure of Carrageenan innately triggers an immune response in the body which ultimately leads to inflammation. Now, that’s risky! Health Concerns Linked to CarrageenanĪgain, most of the health concerns about this additive are linked to the degraded kind. Scientists are highly concerned that the acidic environment of our stomach may alter food-grade Carrageenan once it enters the digestive system, therefore exposing the intestines to this potent carcinogen. But, the problem is that for years many scientists have raised concerns over the use of “food-grade,” aka undegraded Carrageenan. Only the undegraded version is used in food.

“Degraded carrageenan is such a potent inflammatory agent that scientists routinely use it to induce inflammation and other disease in laboratory animals, to test anti-inflammation drugs and other pharmaceuticals.” Carrageenan in Nut Milk The undergraded version of Carrageenan is deemed safe by the FDA for use in foods. However, its safety has been under fire lately, and you should know about it. In 2012, the National Organics Standard Board chose to allow its use in organic food production for another five years. It has been in use in food since the 1930s. Using Carrageenan as an additive isn’t new.

It also prevents ingredients from separating. It is derived from red seaweed and added to give products a fuller consistency, especially low-fat products. If you struggle with gastrointestinal issues such as belly bloating, IBS, IBD, gastritis, diverticulitis, or any other kind of GI distress, then you may want to take a look at your nut milk! Many food manufacturers add “carrageenan” to health foods like almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, yogurt, soy milk, and ice cream.
