Is Sodium Phosphate Bad For You?
Short answer
Although sodium phosphates are safe in most cases, they do not come with many benefits and may cause unwanted effects in large amounts. You may want to avoid sodium phosphates entirely if you have kidney disease or high blood pressure.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very 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 phosphate is often used as a preservative. It's added to food - particularly processed meat - so that it'll keep longer. It's also used to color food and as a leavening agent. The sodium phosphate in your food is generally regarded as safe by the FDA and other regulatory organizations. That safety, however, comes with some caveats - especially if you've experienced or are experiencing problems with your kidneys.
Sodium phosphates may not be a good idea if you suffer from kidney disease. Your kidneys clean all sorts of things out of your body - including phosphates - and if they aren't functioning properly then the phosphates can build up in your blood. Although the science around the risks isn't yet definitive, there's evidence that too many phosphates can damage blood vessels and cause problems like heart disease in those with kidney disease. If you're suffering from kidney problems, talk to you doctor about sodium phosphates in your food.
Sodium phosphate is a source of sodium. This could be a problem if you suffer from high blood pressure and are trying to keep an eye on the sodium in your blood. If you have heart problems or suffer from high blood pressure, or if you have a family history of those medical conditions, you'll want to keep an eye on the amount of sodium phosphate that you consume.
Sodium phosphates are often found in processed meat as a preservative. Processed meat isn't good for you - it's linked to stomach cancer, bowel cancer, and a host of other problems. If you're eating a lot of food with sodium phosphate, you might need to be worrying about the food that the sodium phosphate is added to instead of the sodium phosphate itself.
Sodium phosphate also has medical applications. It's a laxative - take a concentrated dose of sodium phosphate, and it'll absorb enough water that it may soften the stool and help you to clear out your bowels. Don't self-medicate with sodium phosphate as a laxative - have it prescribed by a doctor.
If you do have a prescription, however, you should still watch out for certain side effects. Taking sodium phosphates can cause problems if you already have too much phosphates or electrolytes in your blood. It can also cause problems when mixed with other laxatives or if you have certain problems of the stomach, intestines, or bowel.
Possible short-term side effects
- headache
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nausea
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vomiting
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diarrhea
Possible long-term side effects
- increased blood pressure
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damage to blood vessels
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heart disease (in those with kidney problems)
Commonly found in
Benefits
- can be used as a laxative
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Written by Sean McNulty
Published on: 10-01-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Sean McNulty
Published on: 10-01-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016
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