Sodium benzoate or E211 is used mainly in acidic foods such as salad dressing, carbonated drinks, jams and fruit juices and Chinese food sauces.
E211, Sodium benzoate is also found in alcohol mouthwash
and silver polish.
It is also used in fireworks. The power which is packed into a tube and ignited lets out the whistling sound uses the compound E211 or sodium benzoate.
In 2007, UK's Food Standard Agency found that E211 is linked to hyperactivity behaviour as well as decreased intelligence in children.
In the same study, it found that high consumption of Sodium benzoate led to close to 5.5 points lower IQ.
As parents, we should seriously look at what we are giving our children. E211 is only one of the causes of hyperactivity in children and decreased intelligence, but it is "hidden" in many processed foods.
Even in adults, high consumption of Sodium benzoate increases the risk of Parkinson's and many nero-degenerative diseases as well as hasten the process of aging.
Consumers seeking for more natural products have gotten the attention of Coca Cola Company. The company is removing E211 out of it's Diet Coke drink voluntarily. They are in the process of phasing it out and hope to remove it from its other products - including, Sprite, Dr. Pepper, and Oasis - once a satisfactory alternative is discovered.
Go to your kitchen and see how many products have sodium benzoate, E211 labels. Reduce the amount consumed. Eat more fresh produce.
Have a healthy life.
Nice article. Very Informative.