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Sodium alginate is a natural polysaccharide that is commonly found in brown seaweed. It has gained popularity in recent years due to its numerous health benefits. This ingredient has been used in various health supplements, food products and even as a gelling and thickening agent. In this article, we will explore what this polysaccharide is, its nutritional profile, and the top 5 health benefits it offers. We will also discuss incorporating this hydrophilic polysaccharide into your diet and its potential risks. So, let’s dive in and discover the amazing properties of this polysaccharide!
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Sodium Alginate Summary
| Nutrient name: | Sodium Alginate |
| Nutrient picture: |  |
| Origin: | The cell walls of brown algae |
| Other names: | Alginate hydrogel, Alginate gels, Alginate solution, Alginic acid, The sodium salt of alginic acid. |
| Supplements that contain this nutrient: | HoneyBurn natural supplement for easily activating your metabolic switch. |
| Main benefits: | Weight Loss, Improved Heart Health, Better Digestive Health, Wound Healing, Natural Detoxifier. |
| Related nutrients: | Calcium Alginate, Potassium Alginate. |
| Recipes with this nutrient: | Sodium Alginate Fruit Spheres, Sodium Alginate Vegan Egg Yolk, Popping Boba Recipe (With Sodium Alginate). |
What Is Sodium Alginate?
Sodium alginate, also known as E401, is a natural polysaccharide derived from brown algae. It is widely used in the food industry as a thickening and gelling agent. This polysaccharide has a unique molecular structure that allows it to form gel-like substances when it comes into contact with calcium ions. This property makes it an excellent ingredient for creating textures and shapes in molecular gastronomy. Beyond its culinary applications, this natural polysaccharide offers several health benefits.
Other Sodium Alginate Names
This alginate is also referred to by other names, including:
- Alginate hydrogel
- Alginate gels
- Alginate solution
- Alginic acid
- The sodium salt of alginic acid
The History of Sodium Alginate and Its Origins
The use of brown seaweed, the primary source of this hydrophilic polysaccharide, dates back centuries. Brown algae, also known as Phaeophyceae, is found in abundance in coastal regions around the world.
However, in 1881, British chemist Edward C. C. Stanford patented the process of extracting this alginate from seaweed for the very first time according to historical research. The extraction of this polysaccharide from brown seaweed later began in the early 20th century and gained significant attention due to its unique properties.
Since cultivating seaweed is difficult, the production process still involves collecting wild seaweed. The process of extracting acid from seaweed is messy and involves converting the acid to sodium salt. The sodium salt is found in a thick slurry that cannot be filtered in its present state because it is too gel-like. Therefore, heavy dilution is needed, but it may still be challenging to eliminate unwanted residue without extra processing.
The resulting product can be used directly or transformed into other useful salts like potassium and calcium alginates. Today, this natural polysaccharide is extracted and processed on a large scale to meet the demands of various industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.
Sodium Alginate Nutritional Profile
This polysaccharide is low in calories and fat, making it a suitable addition to a healthy diet. Here is a breakdown of its nutritional profile per 100 grams:
Calories: 17
Fat: 0 grams
Carbohydrates: 50 grams
Dietary Fiber: 39 grams
Protein: 0 grams
Sodium: 7300 milligrams
Calcium salt: 0 grams
It’s important to note that the nutritional content may vary depending on this alginate’s specific brand and form.
Source: Recipal
The Top 5 Sodium Alginate Health Benefits
Sodium Alginate for Weight Loss
This polysaccharide has been studied for its potential role in weight loss. Due to its high fiber content, it can promote feelings of fullness and reduce appetite. A study on the effects of a long-term diet containing this alginate found that this ingredient can significantly reduce food intake, body weight, and APD. The study also revealed that the peak level of blood in the group that consumed this alginate was about 77% lower than in the control group.
This suggests that nutrient digestibility was impaired and the rate at which glucose entered the blood was reduced. Additionally, this polysaccharide has the ability to bind to dietary fats, preventing their absorption in the body. This mechanism may help reduce calorie intake and support weight loss efforts.
One supplement that incorporates this ingredient, along with other natural compounds for weight loss, is “Honey Burn.” This product utilizes sodium alginate’s high-fiber content to promote feelings of fullness and reduce appetite, while also binding to dietary fats to potentially limit their absorption. Alongside other natural ingredients, Honey Burn aims to support weight loss efforts by reducing calorie intake and enhancing overall metabolic efficiency.
Sodium Alginate for Heart Health
Research suggests that this hydrophilic polysaccharide may have beneficial effects on heart health. Its high fiber content can help reduce cholesterol levels by binding to bile acids in the intestine and promoting their excretion. By lowering cholesterol levels, this natural polysaccharide may contribute to a healthier cardiovascular system and reduce the risk of heart disease. Hence, adding this alginate to your diet may help improve heart health. For example, you can add it to your smoothies, soups, or even baked goods.
Sodium Alginate for Digestive Health
According to studies, this hydrophilic polysaccharide acts as a prebiotic, promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. This can enhance digestive health and improve nutrient absorption. Additionally, the fiber in this alginate can help regulate bowel movements and prevent constipation. For people with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), including this polysaccharide in their diet may help reduce symptoms such as abdominal pain and bloating.
Sodium Alginate for Wound Healing
It has also been used in the medical field for its wound-healing properties. It has unique properties that make it a potential biopolymer for wound dressing. Studies have shown it can overcome several problems associated with wound dressings. Alginate can enhance the absorption of wound exudates, minimize bacterial infections, reduce allergic effects, and improve wound healing due to its biocompatibility. It also has hemostatic properties that can be useful for bleeding wounds.
Additionally, this natural polysaccharide also forms a gel-like barrier when in contact with wound exudate, promoting a moist environment that aids in the healing process. The gel also helps to protect the wound from external contaminants and reduce the risk of infection.
Sodium Alginate as a Detoxifier
The ability of this polysaccharide to bind to heavy metals and toxins in the digestive system makes it an effective detoxifier, research confirms. It can help remove harmful substances from the body and reduce the risk of toxin-related health issues. However, it’s important to note that this substance should not be used as a substitute for medical treatment in cases of severe toxicity.
How To Take Sodium Alginate?
This natural polysaccharide is available in different forms, including powder and supplements, making it easy to incorporate into your daily routine. Here are a few ways to take this polysaccharide:
Sodium Alginate Powder
The powdered form of this alginate can be dissolved in water or other beverages. Start with a small amount and gradually increase the dosage as needed. It’s important to follow the recommended serving size provided by the manufacturer.
Sodium Alginate Supplements
It is also available in the form of dietary supplements. These supplements typically contain a standardized amount of this alginate, making it convenient for daily consumption. Always read the instructions and consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement.
Foods Rich in Sodium Alginate
If you prefer obtaining this alginate from natural food sources, you can include brown seaweed, kelp, and other algae in your diet. These foods are not only rich in this natural polysaccharide but also provide a range of other beneficial nutrients.
Top 3 Tasty Recipes With Sodium Alginate
Sodium Alginate Fruit Spheres
One popular culinary application of this alginate is creating fruit spheres using a technique called spherification. By combining this with a calcium chloride solution, you can transform liquid fruit into small gel-like spheres bursting with flavor. This natural polysaccharide is important for the gelling process.
Ingredients
150g passion fruit puree
10g sugar
0.5g xanthan gum
1.5g calcium lactate (1%)
500ml bottled low-calcium water
2.5g sodium alginate (0.5%)
Instruction
To start, create the sodium alginate bath by blending water and the alginate in a food processor on high speed for 1 minute, until it is evenly mixed.
Turn the mixture into a bowl that has a flat bottom and straight sides. Cover it with plastic wrap and allow it to rest in the refrigerator overnight. Output Language Code: EN-GB
To make the passion fruit spheres, blend passion fruit, sugar, and calcium lactate in a food processor at full speed for 1 minute.
While adding the xanthan gum, mix for one more minute at full speed.
To eliminate air bubbles, refrigerate overnight.
Get a bowl containing 200ml of water for washing the spheres when you are ready to spherify.
Scoop the puree into the measuring spoon and then transfer it into the alginate bath by placing the spoon near the surface of the bath and flipping it over to release the puree.
To start, work with one sphere at a time. Place the sphere in the bath and stir it gently using the spherification spoon for approximately 2 minutes.
Use the spherification spoon to remove the sphere from the spherification bath and place it into the bowl of prepared water. Keep the spheres in the bowl and transfer them to the plating dish when you’re ready.
Source: Sous Chef
Sodium Alginate Vegan Egg Yolk
This hydrophilic polysaccharide can also be used to create vegan egg yolks with a texture and flavor similar to the real thing.
Ingredients
1 medium (~180g) yellow tomato
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup plant milk (unflavored)
¼ cup water
1 tsp (7g) calcium lactate-gluconate (See Note 2)
½ tsp table salt (or 1 tsp Kosher salt)
dash of black salt/kala namak (~1/16 tsp)
SODIUM ALGINATE BATH
4 ¼ cups (1000ml) water
1 tsp (7g) sodium alginate
WATER BATH
4 ¼ cups (1000ml) water
Instructions
PREPARE THE YOLK LIQUID
To prepare the tomato, bake it in olive oil at a temperature of 325°F for one hour and thirty minutes. Once it’s done, transfer both the tomato and its cooking liquids into a blender.
Add the plant milk, water, salt, and black salt into a blender. Blend the mixture and taste it. If needed, add more seasoning to adjust the flavor.
To prepare the mixture, blend the calcium lactate-gluconate for 1-2 minutes before transferring it into an airtight container. Allow it to rest for a few hours or overnight.
PREPARE THE SODIUM ALGINATE BATH
Put the water and sodium alginate in a blender for a few minutes. Afterward, refrigerate the mixture overnight to allow any air bubbles to rise to the top and disappear.
MAKE THE YOLKS
Take out the sodium alginate solution and yolk liquid (if refrigerated) from the refrigerator at least an hour before use in order to allow them to come to room temperature.
To clarify, you need to pour the yolk liquid into a standard half-sphere tablespoon, then dip the tablespoon into the alginate solution for a minute. After that, rinse the tablespoon and save it in a water bath.
Serve and Store
After the yolk has been cooked and washed, test it by popping it. If the popping sound is not satisfactory, you can add some more water to the yolk liquid and mix it to make it thinner.
You can store the egg yolks in an airtight container and fill them with water or olive oil for a maximum of three days. Afterward, you can enjoy the yolks by serving them on avocado toast, pide, shakshuka, or rice.
Source: Aegean Delight
Popping Boba Recipe (With Sodium Alginate)
Ingredients:
3/4 cup real fruit juice of choice
1 tsp sodium alginate
1/5 cup water
1 1/4 tsp calcium lactate
1 liter distilled water
Instructions:
Dissolve the calcium lactate in the distilled water and let it sit for either 4 hours or overnight. Then, strain the mixture.
Stir sodium alginate into 1/5 cup of water until it becomes thick and smooth. Next, add fruit juice and stir until smooth.
Refrigerate the juice mixture for a period of 3 hours.
Next, start the reverse spherification process by dripping the chilled juice mixture into the calcium lactate solution using a dropper or syringe. Leave it to rest for 10 minutes.
Finally, to prepare your boba tea, use a strainer or slotted spoon to transfer the popping boba pearls to a separate container of clean water. Rinse the pearls in the water before adding them to your boba tea.
Source: Boba Buddha
Top 3 Sodium Alginate Supplements for Great Overall Health
These are three of the best supplements on the market:
Fit Lane Sodium Alginate Powder
Made from seaweed that is grown in cooler ocean temperatures, the Fit Lane Sodium Alginate Powder is a vegan supplement that contains no corn, wheat, gluten, dairy, or soy. It’s an effective thickening agent and helps to form gels from solutions as well as regulate acidity in foods.
Fit Lane Sodium Alginate Powder Main Benefits:
Useful in Your Kitchen: This product can be used for various purposes such as creating squishy spheres through a process called spherification, acting as a natural emulsifier and gelatinizing agent for sauces, syrups, mayonnaise, and pie fillings, and as a meat binder to form nuggets and loaves. It is a highly versatile supplement.
Great for Tie and Dye: This product will make colors bolder as compared to using regular dye.
Great Quality: The facility where this product is made is certified with CGMP. It is guaranteed to be free of gluten and banned substances.
Fit Lane Sodium Alginate Powder Price:
At $25.99, Fit Lane Sodium Alginate Powder is a great value for the money.
Cape Crystal Sodium Alginate
Cape Crystal Brand’s Sodium Alginate powder can transform liquids into classy caviar spheres, enhancing the visual appeal of your food. It can be used in various dishes, including spicy cuisine and desserts. You can use it to create fruit caviar and decorate your desserts like a pro.
Cape Crystal Sodium Alginate Main Benefits:
Excellent Caviar Effect: This Powder, is a thickening agent used in molecular gastronomy. It has the appropriate viscosity for both direct and reverse spherification techniques. These techniques were created by Chef Ferran Adria at El Bulli restaurant in 2003.
Satisfaction Guaranteed: You can return the Powder – Thickening Agent and receive a full refund if you are not satisfied with your purchase. No inquiry will be made regarding the reason for the return.
Safe to Eat: This Powder is a thickening agent refined from seaweed and is suitable for use in foods. You can trust its quality in your kitchen, as it is 100% vegan-safe, gluten-free, and non-GMO.
Cape Crystal Sodium Alginate Price:
At $9.95, Cape Crystal Sodium Alginate Powder offers great value for the money.
Fit Lane Sodium Alginate Powder
Fit Lane’s Sodium Alginate powder is a thickening agent that can be used to create unique dishes, from gel-like sauces and creams to caviar-style decorations. It contains no added preservatives or colors and has been tested for its pH value, solubility, and viscosity.
Fit Lane Sodium Alginate Powder Main Benefits:
100% Natural: This Fit Lane Powder is a product of the highest quality and comes from sustainably farmed seaweed. It contains no preservatives or colors and has been tested for its pH value, solubility, and viscosity.
Versatile: This powder can be used to thicken sauces, make gel-like foods, create spherification effects, bind mixtures, and more.
Great Quality: This Powder is certified with CGMP, guaranteed to be free of banned substances, and is food grade.
Fit Lane Sodium Alginate Powder Price:
Priced at $11.99 ($3.00 / Ounce), this product is an economical option compared to other supplements.
Risks of Consuming Sodium Alginate (Side Effects)
This polysaccharide is generally considered safe for consumption when used in moderate amounts. However, some individuals may experience mild gastrointestinal side effects, such as bloating, gas, or diarrhea. If you have any underlying health conditions or are pregnant or breastfeeding, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before adding this supplement to your diet.
Sodium Alginate vs. Other Alginates
Sodium Alginate vs. Calcium Alginate
Sodium alginate and calcium alginate are both derived from brown seaweed and share similar properties. However, they differ in their ability to form gels. This hydrophilic polysaccharide forms gels in the presence of calcium ions, while calcium alginate forms gels without the need for additional calcium. Calcium alginate is commonly used in wound dressings and medical applications due to its gel-forming ability.
Sodium Alginate vs. Potassium Alginate
Potassium alginate is derived from brown seaweed. While both alginates have similar structures and properties, potassium alginate is less commonly used in the food industry compared to sodium alginate. Potassium alginate is often used in dietary supplements and pharmaceutical formulations.
Sodium Alginate: Conclusion
Sodium alginate, derived from brown seaweed, offers a range of health benefits. From weight loss support to heart health and wound healing properties, this natural polysaccharide is a versatile ingredient with a wide range of applications. Whether you choose to incorporate it into your diet through supplements or natural food sources, this hydrophilic polysaccharide can be a valuable addition to your wellness routine. As with any dietary change, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement or treatment.
If you’re looking to add this versatile supplement to your diet, look no further than Fit Lane and Cape Crystal’s alginate powders; shop for them now to get great value for the money. With their quality assurance and satisfaction guarantee, these are two of the best brands to trust!
FAQs About Sodium Alginate
What is sodium alginate used for?
This alginate is commonly used as a gelling and thickening agent in the food industry. It is also used in pharmaceutical formulations, wound dressings, and dietary supplements. It can be used to thicken sauces, make gels, and bind mixtures such as cheese spreads, custards, and pie fillings. Additionally, it is a meat binder used to form nuggets and loaves.
Is sodium alginate safe for humans?
This alginate is generally safe for consumption when used in moderate amounts. However, individuals with specific health conditions should consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating it into their diet. Additionally, it is best to avoid this polysaccharide if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
What is sodium alginate powder used for?
This powder is commonly used in culinary applications, such as molecular gastronomy. It is also used in the food industry as a gelling and thickening agent. It can be used to create sauces, gels, and bind mixtures including cheese spreads and custards. Additionally, it is a popular meat binder used to form nuggets and loaves. This powder is also used in pharmaceutical formulations, wound dressings, and dietary supplements.
What is a substitute for sodium alginate powder?
If you’re looking for a substitute for this alginate powder, you can try agar-agar or carrageenan, which are also natural gelling agents commonly used in cooking and food manufacturing. Agar-agar is a vegetarian alternative derived from seaweed and carrageenan is derived from red algae. Both can be used to thicken sauces, make gels, bind mixtures, and more. However, if you are using them as a substitute for the powder in pharmaceutical formulations or dietary supplements, you should consult with a healthcare professional first.