Is Sodium Hexametaphosphate Bad For You?
Also Known As: SHMP
Short answer
Frequently consuming sodium hexametaphosphate can result in a wide range of unwanted side effects including an increased risk for pancreatic cancer. It's best to avoid this additive. If you are only consuming it once in a blue moon, you shouldn't have anything to worry about.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Sodium hexametaphosphate is primarily used as an emulsifier / texturizer in many foods and as an anti-staining agent in toothpaste. The FDA recognizes this ingredient as "generally safe", yet warns you that excessive consumption should be avoided due to possible side effects. Let's dig a little deeper and find out exactly what this additive may be doing to your health.
When you hear hexametaphosphate, you may be thinking phosphorus? This ingredient does, in fact, contain phosphorus, which is an essential nutrient for many reasons; improved digestion, bone formation, cellular repair, etc. The problem here is if you ingest sodium hexametaphosphate without the proper balance of other minerals in your body, it can negatively impact your bones, kidneys, and heart. When tested on lab animals, swollen kidneys, the loss of bone calcium, unusual muscle fiber changes, extreme skin irritations, and other precursors to cancer were seen.
Short-term side effects of sodium hexametaphosphate include headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and gastrointestinal irritation. It is also possible some may have an allergic reaction to the phosphate, most commonly resulting in mild chest pain and general respiratory irritation.
In conclusion, this food additive - also used in toothpaste and ..umm.. the production of glass and ceramic products - should be avoided. If you are only consuming sodium hexametaphosphate every once in a while, don't worry - you will be fine. Real problems arise when it becomes a part of your diet.
Possible short-term side effects
- headache
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nausea
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vomiting
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dizziness
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gastrointestinal irritation
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allergic reaction
Possible long-term side effects
- pancreatic cancer
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loss of calcium
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kidney problems
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skin irritation
Commonly found in
Benefits
- helps prevent cavities
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helps preserve various foods
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Written by Rachel Adams
Published on: 12-28-2015
Last updated: 12-10-2016
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Rachel Adams
Published on: 12-28-2015
Last updated: 12-10-2016
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