The Truth About Almond Milk | What is Carrageenan? - Thomas DeLauer

The Truth About Almond Milk | What is Carrageenan? - Thomas DeLauer

Carrageenan - What It Is and Why You Should Avoid It

We all have heard that processed foods are not good for us, however understanding why can be complicated.

Today we will go over one substance that is added to foods that is dangerous for our health: Carrageenan

Carrageenan is a compound extracted from red seaweed that is added to processed foods to thicken and improve the texture.
-Commonly found in low fat dairy products like yogurts and ice cream
-Other foods include processed meats, infant formulas, soy milks and diet drinks
-Also found in pet foods, shampoos, toothpastes, room air fresheners, cosmetics and other products

The use of Carrageenan in products has been steadily increasing.

Why is Carrageenan Bad for Your Health?

1. Inflammation and diabetes

We want to stay away from inflammatory foods

Carrageenan has been shown in studies to increase cellular inflammation, and has even been used in many studies to induce inflammation when needed in animal and human subjects.

Diabetes, and many other health problems, are linked to markers of inflammation

*A 2011 study published in Diabetologia looked at the effect of adding carrageenan in drinking water to glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity and insulin signalling.
-At levels lower than what is assumed in the human diet (scaled down for the weight of the mice), glucose tolerance was drastically impaired.
-This study showed that the inflammation caused by Carrageenan may contribute to the development of diabetes.

2. Cancer

In 1982 the International Agency for Research on cancer designated carrageenan as a carcinogen

3. Intestinal ulcers

Many animal studies have found a causal link between carrageenan and intestinal ulcers

4. Increased Intestinal Permeability

Some studies have found that carrageenan may cause increased intestinal permeability, which makes it harder for us to absorb nutrients. Large particles may also escape and cause damage to lymph nodes

→ Inflammatory bowel disease is linked to numbers 3 and 4.

How to Avoid Carrageenan

1. Whenever possible, avoid prepackaged and processed foods
2. Read labels and avoid foods with carrageenan
3. There are many helpful lists online to help point you towards foods without this added in, such as the Cornucopia guide to avoiding organic foods with carrageenan

References:
1. Exposure to the common food additive carrageenan…
2. Review of harmful gastrointestinal effects...
3. Guide to avoiding organic foods with carrageenan

[katioconnor]

I'm a dairy user and noticed carageenan being added to heavy cream, half/half, none of those items require a thickener if not diluted to increase yield.... so I only buy brands that don't list it.

[pjscos]

Thomas I want to thank you for these type of videos. I'm a better person when I know what can harm me and I'm also a diabetic. I always look forward to hearing from you. And for the people who don't like these take it or leave it he is only given us the opportunity to better ourselves. And I'm for one is very grateful for it.

[johnvas]

Warning! Wal mart chicken breasts now have carrageenan in them. Check your labels. I wondered why they were 2-3 times the size of organic and half the price.

[SuperEddie]

Thank you for your excellent videos that get straight to the point with no BS.

[stacyforbes]

Thank you for this information. My 19 mo old grandson was just put on Almond Milk because he is allergic to it. I will be sure to tell my daughter about this. Can't thank you enough!

[THEWARISWITHIN]

that stuff inflames the hell outta my intestines and im tolerate of alot of shitty foods, never again. Tired of these so called "healthy" alternative foods causing more problems than the whole foods

[chadlumpkin]

I kept having intense abdominal cramps when I started adding heavy whipping cream to my protein shake when I started a ketogenic diet. It took a while but I determined it was the carrageenan in the HWC. I found a HWC without it and haven't had the problem since. Well, except when I introduce a new product I didn't check that has carrageenan.

[johnw.]

There's a difference between consuming Carageenan when you're getting it from seaweed and the extract you find in processed foods. It's the kind in processed food that the research indicates as a problem. There hasn't been the same evidence when testing consumption from things like Irish Seamoss, kelp, etc... at least not in the research studies I've seen.

[ashbueno]

I just make my own almond milk...it's super easy! It does end up costing a bit more but it's totally worth it. It tastes so much better than commercial nut milk.

[Ravi-utkk]

Thomas what is your thoughts on the food additive Xantham Gum? Can you do a video on that? I'm curious your thoughts because i see this food additive in protein powders.

[hounamao]

Well the thing used to induce inflammation in rats is degraded carrageenan (poligeenan) which is obtained through a chemical reaction and is in no way comparable to undegraded carrageenan (used in food) which is mechanically obtained from the seaweed.

[Teresa-xqut]

I have fibro and RA. If I have anything with Carrageenan in it, it makes my body hurt BAD!!

[katiekatiefitbrit]

I know this is an old post but I wanted to say I've been drinking almond milk for two weeks and for the past few days I've had a really bloated stomach with the worst pains in my lower left abdomen. I'm cutting it straight out now.

[johnpaul]

Thanks for this info! I just stopped drinking almond milk and switched to organic whole milk. I noticed great improvement. Heads up though I noticed carrageenan as an ingredient in cottage cheese. So read labels for all ingredients!

[revvids-bpwx]

We often eat seaweeds/carrageenan salad but we just add anti-inflammatory spices like turmeric.

[Vivldi]

I bought a omega 3 vegan capsule which uses Carrageenan here in Germany. When I wrote the company about the disadventages of Carrageenan, the replied that they process there Caraageenan without heating and that it therefore has no negative effects. Could that be true?

[samuraibobafett]

I am glad that my favorite health channel addressed carageenan.

[abdullahgharibmal]

thanks for the information much appreciated!

[AboutGreekss]

I have colitis and was doing amazing on Keto for months but wanted some more calories so I added a heavy cream to my smoothies and within 2 weeks had massive stomach problems again . I didn’t realize it was a bad food additive and I have now cut it out ! Gotta read the back of everything

[xkellyjeanx]

Hey, thanks for making this vid! I appreciate the insight as I just happened to look at my container of heavy cream bc I realised it had a terrible aftertaste....😝 they use Carrageenan. It is always discouraging when a company decides to use unnecessary products within a great natural product. So sad that we have to be SO cautious!
It's nice to know most people aren't homicidal foodies! Lol