Hail Merry - February 21, 2024

The Slippery Truth: Emulsifiers in Processed Foods

Have you ever noticed that our Hail Merry Citrus Cups may vary slightly from batch to batch? Some ganache filling is thicker than others? Step into our world of food science to learn a little bit about emulsifiers, why we don’t use them and how we are pushing the boundaries of food science every day to bring you the cleanest and best tasting sweet snack in natural foods!

When you step into any supermarket aisle, and you'll find a plethora of processed foods with labels boasting smooth textures, creamy consistencies, and great taste. But have you ever wondered what makes these products so effortlessly seductive? Enter emulsifiers – the sneaky agents that give processed foods their desirable texture and stability. However, beneath their alluring facade lies a not-so-healthy reality. In this blog post, we'll dive deep into the science behind emulsifiers and uncover why they may not be the best companions for our well-being and why we work so hard at Hail Merry to produce for our label reading ninja’s snacks without these baddies!

Emulsifiers Unveiled
Emulsifiers are like culinary matchmakers, creating and maintaining harmonious relationships between two substances that do not easily mix, such as oil and water. They work by forming a protective layer around globules of one substance, allowing them to disperse evenly within the other. As a result, emulsifiers give processed foods a smooth, creamy texture and prevent them from separating over time.

The Slippery Slope
While emulsifiers add convenience and appeal to our favorite processed foods, their impact on our health is a different story. Recent scientific studies have raised concerns about the potential adverse effects of consuming emulsifiers in large quantities. Here's a closer look at a few reasons why emulsifiers might not be our best allies:

1. Disrupted Gut Microbiome: Our gut is home to trillions of beneficial bacteria, collectively known as the gut microbiome. Emulsifiers, when consumed in excess, have been found to disrupt the delicate balance of our gut microbiome by killing off beneficial bacteria. This disruption can result in inflammation, impaired digestion, and an increased risk of chronic diseases.

2. Intestinal Barrier Breakdown: Emulsifiers can breakdown the mucus layer that lines our intestines thereby compromising the integrity of our intestinal barrier, which normally prevents harmful substances from entering our bloodstream. When this barrier is compromised, it can lead to increased permeability, allowing toxins and bacteria to pass through, potentially triggering inflammation and digestive issues.

Navigating the Food Maze
While the presence of emulsifiers in processed foods is cause for concern, it's important to remember that not all processed foods are created equal. Here are a few tips to help you navigate the food maze:

1. Choose Whole Foods: Opt for whole grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins are naturally rich in nutrients and free from hidden emulsifiers.

2. Read Labels: When buying processed foods, read the ingredient label carefully. Look out for common emulsifiers such as soy lecithin, mono- and diglycerides, polysorbates, and carrageenan. Be mindful of products with a long list of unpronounceable ingredients.

3. Put your health first: as mentioned above, emulsifiers aid in processing to help molecules like water and oil combine and stay suspended (without breaking). Since Hail Merry will not use emulsifiers, our products will vary from batch to batch. While the taste is always fresh, and creamy, the ganache filling in our Cups for instance can have varying degrees of thickness. Natural products are less forgiving than chemically treated ingredients. We think this variance is way better than sacrificing your health! We appreciate all feedback as we continue to learn and push the boundaries of food science! We make are making huge progress every day!

Emulsifiers may lend an alluring touch to processed foods, but the scientific evidence suggests that their consumption may have detrimental effects on our health. By being mindful of our food choices we can nourish our bodies with the nutrients we need while minimizing the potential risks associated with emulsifiers. So, let's embark on a journey towards a healthier, emulsifier- free lifestyle – one delicious Hail Merry Bite at a time.

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