What Does Trisodium Phosphate Do To Your Body?

While consuming small amounts of trisodium phosphate is safe, eating foods rich in phosphate additives on a daily basis could harm your health. High phosphate levels have been linked to kidney disease, intestinal inflammation, decreased bone density, heart conditions and even premature death.

For example, trisodium phosphate is a popular ingredient in store-bought bread, cakes, muffins and cake mixes due to its ability to increase the fluffiness and height of these items. It’s also often added to meat and seafood products like bacon, sausage, lunch meat and canned tuna to help retain moisture,

The additive is commonly present in processed cheeses, cereals and cereal bars. Fast food, in particular, contains high levels of trisodium phosphate. Sodium phosphates, like trisodium phosphate, are often added to raw poultry, beef, pork and seafood products to improve tenderness in leaner cuts of meat.

Exercise Supplement. Trisodium phosphate is sometimes taken as a nutritional supplement with the aim of improving performance during exercise and sport. Loading your body with trisodium phosphate can potentially reduce lactic acid buildup in your muscles and increase your power output and maximum oxygen uptake.

What is trisodium phosphate?

Trisodium phosphate is a food additive that contains sodium and inorganic phosphate. Sodium phosphate additives are commonly found in highly processed foods.

Trusted Source. ). Inorganic phosphorus includes phosphorus-derived food additives like trisodium phosphate, which are added to foods as an ingredient . Trisodium phosphate is one of the most common types of sodium phosphate additives and can be found in a variety of items. It and other phosphate additives are routinely used in fast food …

Parathyroid hormone signals the body to release calcium from the bones to balance body calcium levels. Having abnormally high levels of parathyroid hormone can harm bone health by causing excess calcium loss from the bones ( 12. Trusted Source.

However, when the kidneys are compromised, such as in those with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or kidney failure, they lose the ability to properly excrete waste products.

While consuming too much sodium phosphate is not good for anyone’s health, small amounts of it are considered safe. Nevertheless, people with certain medical conditions should avoid foods that contain sodium phosphate additives like trisodium phosphate.

Trusted Source. ). Since inorganic phosphorus is more effectively absorbed by the digestive tract, it affects the body differently than organic phosphorus. Eating too many foods containing sodium phosphate additives can raise phosphate levels in the body to an unhealthy level.

Organic phosphorus, which is found naturally in foods like dairy products and meats, has a much lower and slower absorption rate than the inorganic type of phosphorus (sodium phosphate) added to processed foods. Organic phosphorus is much less absorbable than inorganic phosphorus. ).

What is trisodium phosphate used for?

In addition to its many cleaning applications, trisodium phosphate is surprisingly utilized as a food additive. It is called E339 when used for food purposes. Main utilizations include its functions as a thickening agent, acidity regulator, emulsifier, and nutritional enlargement product. Most common foods containing the additive include meat, …

Most common foods containing the additive include meat, cheese, and baked goods. The chemical holds moisture in meat, whether stored or cooked, and helps cheese maintain its shape and melting abilities. It is used as a leavening agent in bread, cake, muffins, and similar products. Trisodium phosphate in cereal is yet another common food application.

If checking ingredient labels is a frequent practice in your household, you may be wondering what trisodium phosphate, or TSP, does to the human body. Trisodium phosphate is commonly used in commercial cereals and meats among other processed foods, thus it should be an additive that consumers are aware of and on the lookout for.

Poisoning affects the eyes, nose, and ears via drooling, severe pain, and vision loss. It may also affect the stomach, intestines, blood, and heart. Symptoms can include low blood pressure, blood in the stool, vomiting, diarrhea, shock, and collapse among others.

It is believed to cause kidney damage, soft tissue calcification, and bone calcium remova l . Continuous ingestion over a long period of time is linked to bone density diseases such as osteoporosis. Trisodium phosphate side effects also include intestinal and stomach lining irritation, and lactic acid reduction in muscles.

Despite warnings from the EPA and CDC, the chemical is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for food industry use. Tri sodium phosphate’s reach even extends to the nutritional supplements many professional athletes use to enhance or support their physical abilities. The European Union also approves the chemical’s presence in food.

TSP was deemed harmful by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2011 and is listed as a “hazardous substance” under the agency’s Clean Water Act. The Center For Disease Control also discourages trisodium phosphate cleaner uses and lists shock, burning sensations, abdominal pain, and collapse as reactions to ingestion.

What is trisodium phosphate?

This product is called trisodium phosphate and it just might be the heavy-duty cleaner you need for projects around the home such as for painting or cleaning soot from chimneys or for cleaning mildew and mold behind refrigerators and kitchen sinks.

Trisodium phosphate, commonly called TSP, is a packaged, blended cleaning product consisting of 75 to 80 percent trisodium phosphate and 20 to 25 percent sodium carbonate. TSP usually comes in the form of an odorless dry powder that must be thoroughly mixed into hot water to form a mostly clear solution, though slightly cloudy.

Applied with sponges or scrub brushes, TSP is an effective, heavy-duty cleaner for problem areas around the house that may be sooty, greasy, or dirty.

Rinse the cleaned area with warm water. Because TSP begins as a dry, white powder, it often can conclude as a dry, white powder on the surface after the water has dried. To combat this, make sure that you rinse the surfaces with a new sponge and a bucket that has been thoroughly rinsed out or even a new bucket.

What Not to Clean With TSP. Though TSP can be used for a wide variety of surfaces, it cannot be used for all surfaces. TSP can darken or stain some materials, and it can etch glass and mirrors. Keep TSP away from aluminum, as well as other metals, when the TSP solution is at its hottest.

Dishwasher detergents containing phosphates are banned in all 50 states, and laundry detergents are banned in a majority of states. The movement toward banning phosphates includes TSP in many states. For retailers offering TSP in states with bans, the penalty can be high.

Safety Considerations. TSP is toxic and can cause eye and skin irritation and is harmful if swallowed. TSP requires care when you work with it. Always use eye protection and waterproof gloves when handling or cleaning with TSP. Also wear full skin protection, including long sleeves and long pants.

How to know if you have trisodium phosphate poisoning?

Below are symptoms of trisodium phosphate poisoning or exposure in different parts of the body. DO NOT make a person throw up. If the chemical is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes. If the chemical was swallowed, give the person water or milk right away. DO NOT give water or milk if …

Your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions. This is a free and confidential service.

If the person breathed in the poison, move them to fresh air right away. Before Calling Emergency. Expand Section.

For inhaled poisons, the person may receive: Breathing support, including oxygen and a tube through the nose or mouth into the lungs. Bronchoscopy (involves placing a tiny flexible camera into the throat to see burns in the airways and lungs) Chest x-ray.