In this article I will talk about cellulose, why it is in supplements and food. I’ll share what it really does, plus the pros and cons.
In the plant world, cellulose gives strength to cell walls. It’s a carbohydrate and some animals can digest it, but we humans can’t.
This means that it is a fiber. It’s hard for some people to understand how something we can’t digest can be so good for us. I’m sure you know fiber is healthy, right?
It aids in weight loss by making you feel full, aids in digestion, lowers blood sugar, cholesterol and more.
Despite this, most people do not consume enough fiber. WebMD recommends adults consume about 30 grams per day. Some people estimate that the average person in the US consumes 15 grams per day.
Adding cellulose to foods increases fiber content without changing the taste or aroma.
Another reason it’s added is to add bulk to the diet but not add calories. Of course sometimes they add sugar and this is different. When you see diet foods, there’s a good chance they contain cellulose.
Another great use is to thicken a liquid like a sauce. For example, do you like watery spaghetti sauce? No, and it can be used to thicken spaghetti sauce as well as other sauces.
It can be used in both ice cream and whipped cream.
At this point, you might be wondering why it is in supplements. It can be used to combine vitamins and replenish some liquid ones. It can be used to make swallowing easier. Of course, considering how big some supplements are, they add too much cellulose, right?
It can also be used to protect nutrients, just as it protects the cells of plants. We have some crazy stuff in the air, and when air comes into contact with vitamins or botanicals, it can degrade their quality.
This is one of the reasons why liquid supplements are usually not that good. Some companies market liquid supplements that are better suited for absorption.
According to consumer reports, this is not the case and according to various tests, the absorption rates for liquid supplements and pills are the same.
Another disadvantage of liquid dietary supplements is that they cannot be provided with an enteric coating and many things are destroyed by the stomach acid.
Let’s talk about the negatives. The biggest risk of eating cellulose really is overeating.
The signs of this could be constipation, having a lot of gas, feeling bloated, dehydrated from absorbing water, and ironically, you could have diarrhea and even weight gain.
Thanks to Kevin Whitsitt
