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Revealed: Why does the ash content of food affect your health?
In our daily diet, the ash content of food is not only part of the nutritional content, it also affects our health and body functions. However, many people have little idea of what ash actually is and why it is so important. This article will delve deeper into this topic and look at how ash content relates to food safety and health.
What is ash?
Ash refers to the inorganic residue left after food is burned. These residues are mainly composed of oxides and metal salts. These metal salts play a vital role in physiological processes, such as sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+) and other ionic elements, which are basic nutrients required by our body.
Ash content is a measure of inorganic components in food, and its level will directly affect our nutritional intake and health.
The relationship between ash content and health
The content of ash is not just a number, it is closely related to the minerals and other trace elements we ingest. The ash in most foods contains a variety of essential trace elements such as zinc, iron and selenium. These trace elements are essential for maintaining the immune system, boosting metabolism, and supporting many physiological functions.
In addition, studies have shown that the accumulation of certain heavy metals will increase as the ash content increases. These heavy metals have potential risks to human health and may cause various diseases. In particular, the levels of heavy metals such as arsenic, lead and cadmium in certain food ingredients can pose serious health risks if not controlled, making understanding the ash content of food an important food safety consideration.
Ash content determination method
In order to ensure food safety, many international standards organizations such as ISO have developed relevant standards for ash content determination. For example, ISO 2171 focuses on the ash content determination of cereals and legumes, while others such as ISO 928 address ash analysis of spices. The determination of ash content is usually accomplished by placing the sample in a high-temperature furnace for complete combustion, and the resulting residue is the ash content we need to measure.
Through accurate ash measurement, consumers can have a clearer understanding of how much beneficial nutrients and potentially harmful substances are contained in the food they consume.
Risk of excessive ash content
Although ash contains many minerals that are beneficial to the human body, excessive ash content may also mean some adverse effects. For some industrial commodities or spicy foods, too much ash may affect their flavor and reduce consumer acceptance. In addition, the high ash content of many food ingredients may also represent environmental pollution, which in turn affects our health.
Conclusion
As with many things, moderation is key. Although ash content is a neglected indicator, it actually carries a lot of information about food quality and health. When we choose food, should we also pay more attention to its ash content to ensure that our diet is healthier and more secure?
