In my post, Replacing Dairy Milk, a few of you commented that you avoid several brands of non-dairy milk because they contain an ingredient called carrageenan. This was the first time I had heard anything about this ingredient, or at least the first time I took any notice. I assumed that it was a safe ingredient, especially because it is found in some organic products. But as we know, just because something is allowed in our food does not mean it’s necessarily good for us. It’s frustrating as a consumer to believe we are buying quality ingredients only to find out they could be harmful to our health.
Anyway, I knew I had to look into this further. And I don’t like what I’m reading. In fact, I’m pretty ticked off.
At first blush, carrageenan sounds seemingly harmless – it’s derived from red seaweed and is used as a thickener, stabilizer, and/or emulsifier in many dairy (sour cream, yogurt, ice cream, etc), dairy alternatives (non-dairy milk, non-dairy cheese, etc), and deli meat products. As it turns out, research links carrageenan to gastrointestinal inflammation, lesions, and even colon cancer in animals. Individuals with Inflammatory Bowel Disease or other gastrointestinal disorders are cautioned to avoid this ingredient as it can make symptoms – and inflammation – even worse. As someone who has suffered from IBS for many years, I was shocked to find this information out. This was the first I had heard of it.
For a review of the research on carrageenan see this PDF document by Cornucopia.org. Please look into this ingredient and make your own informed opinion.
For a long and detailed list of carrageenan in many dairy and non-dairy food products (and safe products as well), please see this Cornucopia shopping guide – it’s extremely helpful. You might be surprised at many of the brands that contain this ingredient. I know I sure was.
I realize there is no conclusive evidence with regard to human consumption of this ingredient, but I’m not willing to take that risk when there are other options, especially because I have suffered from IBS on and off for half my life. I will no longer support President’s Choice Organic Almond Milk or Blue Diamond’s Almond Breeze – two of several brands that contain carrageenan. Instead, I’m going to purchase Whole Foods 365 organic almond milk which is one of the carrageenan-free brands or I will make my own milk at home (more on this in my next post). I’m anxious to see if I notice a difference.
For the complete list of carrageenan-free products, be sure to check out the shopping guide linked above.
As I mentioned in my intro post, we have a lot to learn from each other and this is a perfect example. I’m thankful for all of you sharing your experiences and knowledge in the comments. I’m learning too. I hope that by writing about this today, more awareness is brought to this ingredient. With other thickeners/emulsifiers readily available (such as organic guar gum and organic locust bean gum) there is no excuse for food businesses to continue to put carrageenan into our food at the potential risk of our health.
I was already planning a post on homemade milk, but now it seems even more timely and appropriate. Easy, homemade milk coming on up. I think you’ll really like the ingredients list in this one.
Have you heard anything about carrageenan before? Do you avoid it on labels or will you in the future?
Hi Angela,
Check out Food Babe’s site. That is where I first learned of the possibly dangers of consuming
carrageenan. Thank you for the Cornicupia link – so helpful!
Kim
Thanks so much for the post, Angela! I was really excited to see the title today. I’ve been trying to avoid products with carrageenan in it for some time now, but the evidence I had found wasn’t nearly as good as what you’ve provided here. I will definitely be more diligent about avoiding these products now.
Ever since I learned how to make my own Cashew Milk ( http://sharonvincello.wordpress.com/2013/01/02/how-to-make-your-own-cashew-milk/ ) I stopped buying milk (non-dairy milk) from the store. Not only is it quick an inexpensive – I know exactly what I’m drinking … safe for myself and my family.
Can’t wait for the homemade milk recipe! Almond’s my favorite!
This is such an interesting topic and I have enjoyed reading everyone’s comments and input on the matter. I personally get overwhelmed by this sort of thing. It seems to me that almost everything these days has this sort of controversy around it – what one person deems healthy another deems unhealthy or dangerous. It’s the same with GMOs. Maybe I’m wrong (and I hope I am) but I’m guessing that someone could probably find a “bad” ingredient in some of the non-carrageenan products as well. It’s hard not to just throw up your hands in defeat. I guess what I try to do is stay informed, but at the end of the day I just live the healthiest life I can (according to my definition of the word) with the knowledge I have and try not to stress too much about all of this stuff.
I started making my own nut milk and am amazed at how easy it is and see no reason to purchase it. walnut milk i especially love! I prefer as much self sufficiency as possible.
Thank you for sharing! I am always interested to hear potential side effects of food ingredients. I will certainly read more about this. Knowledge is power.
Thank you for posting this! I have been watching for this ingredient in cat food and just noticed that it’s in the soy organic milk from Costco – just noticed this yesterday before reading your blog today. So I won’t be buying it anymore.
Thank you for posting this! I am an avid label reader as well, and have heard snipets about carrageenan but never knew specifics. I also have a 16 month old daughter and want to raise her as free of nasty food additives as possible!
to sweeten i pulse it with a couple of dates and it knocks my socks off!!! Also I LOVE your blog to the max and panic when I think about not having it! Appreciate you honesty when talking about the additives in store bought milks. This whole thing is such a journey and we’re all on it!
How enlightening! I had seen this ingredient on the labels, and it always had a description that made it sound harmless….I expect more from these companies who are making ‘healthier’ products. Thank you for the time and research you put into it, as a fellow IBS girl this is beneficial info!
While being new to the Vegan world, I find it really strange that vegan’s indulge in these processed foods. I know sometimes we struggle with finding alternatives to what we’re used to, but isn’t consuming “vegan” type processed foods still eating processed foods – I realize the main thing is to stay away from eating meat and meat products, but I find staying away from processed foods being a plus as well for my own health (while sometimes daunting, I must admit). Ultra runner, Scott Jurek, in his book Eat and Run, has a great recipe for rice milk – cook some rice and blend it with water til it’s the thickness you desire -you can add whatever flavorings or sweetness you want to it for your own use and you know exactly what’s in it. That’s what I’ve been using when there’s a need. Also using raw cashews whipped with purified water (you’ll need a high powered blender for this) can be used many ways and flavored many ways for that rich delectable creamy filler that’s sometimes needed. Like I said, I’m new here. I really love this post and thanks so much for all your great recipes!
I’m glad you posted this b/c I was wondering about that ingredient. I never really did any research (which I should have), but I started avoiding milks that had that ingredient in it b/c I didn’t know what it was! Can’t wait to read your homemade milk recipe!!!
Learning so much from the comments. I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for your almond milk recipe!
My brother works in research at a cancer hospital and this was something he and I discussed a while ago.. this was his response to Carageenan. (he avoids when he can, but is not extreme with avoiding it)
Carageenan was used in the lab to disable/block a specific type of immune white blood cell called macrophages. These cells are part of an “innate immune system”. The cells can basically gobble up foreign debree/etc. from our bodies. They also have the important function of stimulating the rest of the “adaptive” immune system such as Tcells (can kill foreign cells) and B cells (produce antibodies). When the macrophages gobble up foreign bodies/cells/debree/proteins they can express it on their surface basically telling other cells in the immune system to look for more foreign invaders. The macrophages also produce cytokines (like hormones) that tell help stimulate/control other cells.
What does all this mean? Enough carageenan in the blood can down regulate the function of macrophages thereby resulting in decreased immunity> Could possibly be good for people with autoimmunity but not for people with cancer. (I have not researched this but am speculating). For mice typical intravenous dose of 0.6 mg/ml for 3 to 4 days is enough to knock out the macrophages for at least a month. Not sure if carageenan can make it through the digestive track or how much one would have to eat to get an affect. May more likely have an affect on local gut macrophages.
You are an inspiration for helping everyone to lead healthier lives :)
I had NEVER heard of this before! Thank you so much for posting and for everyone who shared this knowledge in the earlier post. The PDF version you provided is excellent. I have a copy printed for the almond milk brands that I plan to carry in my wallet when grocery shopping.
I don’t usually leave comments, but I read your blog consistently. I am so thankful that you posted this, along with the links to the research and shopping list. I just went through my pantry and refrigerator and found out that my kids are getting a dose of carrageenan with their breakfast, lunch and dinner! YIKES!!! I understand all things in moderation, but you really opened my eyes to how much they are getting. Thank you!
Hi Angela! Great informative post for your readers! I’ve been making my own homemade almond milk too! I make vanilla and chocolate. It is soooo good and I can feel good about the ingredients. I love your blog and really enjoy it. :)
I don’t know if you’ve made chocolate, but here is my recipe :)
http://thehealthyflavor.com/2012/10/22/homemade-almond-milk/
I have never read of this before. Thank you so much for sharing. A majority of the time I made my own almond milk anyway. It is so easy!! And the sugar level is way lower! This definitely gives me extra motivation to keep that up! I have a whole bottle of Blue Diamond in the fridge right now I’m considering pitching!
Here is my go to almond milk recipe: http://thealmostvegan.com/homemade-almond-milk-and-cookies! Can’t wait to read yours! You always put such an awesome twist on your recipes!!