What are phosphates and how do they affect the body?

Recently from the European Union It has been alerted about the influence of kebab in the body. This sandwich of meat of Turkish origin has been in everyone's mouth for the phosphates, an element present in this fast food that has awakened the alarms. But, really, what is this ingredient? How does it influence the body after ingesting it?

From the Government of La Rioja The influence of phosphate on the human organism and its presence in the meat industry was discussed some time ago. A way to learn more about this ingredient present in the aforementioned fast food that has made so much talk in the European territory.

What are phosphates?

The Government of La Rioja stresses that phosphates are products made from phosphoric acid. This body recalls the need for the use of raw materials of excellent quality to ensure that the product meets the requirements in all applications of the food area and has no harmful effects on the human body.


Regarding its uses in the food industry, the Government of La Rioja highlights the following:

- pH absorber. Phosphates are used to maintain or buffer the pH. The color and taste of foods are strongly influenced by pH.

- Alkalinizing: (sodium or potassium tripolyphosphate). The phosphates are used to maintain the alkalinity in the brine. When it comes to meat, the alkalinity of the medium helps to emulsify the fat and makes the meat soften. These ingredients also allow the muscle protein to open, which in turn allows water uptake and this is reflected in an increase in yield and reduction of syneresis in the final product.


- Emulsifying agent. Phosphates (sodium and potassium tripolyphosphate, hexametaphosphate) also function as stabilizers to promote emulsification between fat, water and protein.

- Kidnapper. Sodium hexametaphosphate, acid pyrophosphate and tetrasodium pyrophosphate are excellent sequestrants, which means that they can be bound with the impurities of metals contained in water, such as iron, magnesium, copper and also with calcium. This is important, since impurities can affect the quality of the food and the efficiency of its processing.

- Protein modifier. Phosphates (sodium and potassium tripolyphosphate, pyrophosphates) are protein modifiers in meat and dairy applications, improving the moisture retention capacity and helping the stability of the phases in solution.

Effects of phosphates

The Socialist and Democrat groups in the European Parliament's Parliament highlight studies that talk about the effects of phosphates on the body. An element present in kebabs, foods with a high level of additives, an ingredient with the presence of phosphates.


"Studies have shown that there is a connection between phosphates in meat and health problems, such as high blood pressure and heart disease." These serious concerns should not be ignored.We are questioning the safety of phosphates as food additives when They are used for the manufacture and processing of rotating meat fractures, and we believe that the Commission must take into account all risks when granting authorization for the use of said additives, "explains Miriam Dalli, of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in European Parliament.

Damián Montero

Video: Phosphorus Intake and Chronic Kidney Disease


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