what do the sulfites do inside a person's body, and why do some people say sulfites are bad? Nope, sulfites don’t just show up in wine. That said, sulfites can cause trouble for people with sensitivities and allergies to the chemicals, which aren't all that uncommon. They’re also detrimental to your health for several additional reasons. If you can eat dried fruit or sauerkraut without your throat closing, you’re not allergic to sulfites. According to the US Department of Agriculture, food manufacturers must reveal the presence of sulphites in their products based on the following guidelines: The presence of sulfiting agents must be declared on the label if their concentration in the finished meat or poultry food product is 10 ppm or higher. Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in. An estimated 5 to 10 percent of people with asthma are also allergic to sulphites, Sulphites can interfere with the absorption of B vitamins, If you don’t know if a product contains sulphites, contact the manufacturer, Avoid foods that state “may contain sulphites” or “may contain traces of sulphites”, If you eat out, call ahead to find out if they have sulphite-free foods. Some estimates range from 0.05 to 1 percent of the population, or up to 5 percent of people who have asthma, according to a report by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS). Some of those names include potassium bisulphite, potassium metabisulphite, sodium bisulphite, sodium dithionite, sodium metabisulphhite, sodium sulphite, sulphur dioxide, sulphurous acid, sulphites, and sulphating agents. sulfites bad for you. “Sulfites naturally occur in black tea, eggs, vinegar, fermented foods, peanuts, wine, broccoli, cabbage, kale, garlic, onions, strawberries, plums, and coconuts,” says dietitian Scott Keatley, RD.. the chemical preservatives—in your wine. “Sulfites prevent bacterial growth and the browning of foods exposed to oxygen,” she says. Robert Camuto, author of Corkscrewed, dispels some of the myths about those demons of the wine world, sulfites. Are Sulfites in Wine Really Bad for You? The reaction is more severe in people with asthma, who may experience wheezing, congestion, shortness of breath, and even anaphylaxis (a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction), says Angelone. If you’re sensitive to sulfites, stick to low-sulfite wine. Here are sulphite dangers you should know about. Sulphites may cause allergy-like symptoms, such as breathing problems, diarrhea, dizziness, drop in blood pressure, flushing, hives, trouble swallowing, upset stomach, and vomiting. Sulfites. In most countries, like Canada, Australia, and the US, sulfites are required to be listed on all food and beverage labels. Symptoms of Sulfite Sensitivity and others. They have negative effects on the hair, skin, and mouth. In fact, you'll find 'em in a slew of different food products, says Beth Warren, RD, dietitian and author of Secrets of a Kosher Girl. Sulfites wear several hats: they are added to many foods and some beverages to: First, you should always look at the ingredient panel when buying any of the following foods to see if they are listed on the label. Sulfites also inhibit the growth of mold and other bacteria. Read about 7 scary food additives to avoid. Nearly all wines have more sulfites added, because they control the growth of bacteria and yeasts. A 37-year-old female asked: i eat dried fruit each day. If you’ve ever read the back label of your wine bottle, chances are you’ve come across “contains sulfites.” Since wine is a volatile product, sulfites are added for preservation. Sulfites are compounds which contain sulfurous acid, which has preserving properties. They think sulfites are like nitrides and nitrates; they’re really bad and shouldn’t be in any food that has the word organic on it. 43 years experience Dermatology. Sulfites are a chemical compound used to improve the appearance, taste, and shelf life of wine and other products. What brands contain Sulfites? Further, it also prevents the oxidation of wine. When sulfiting agents are required to be declared on a label, they must be (1) declared by their specific name or as “sulfiting agents,“and (2) listed in the ingredients statement in order of predominance or at the end of the ingredients statement with the statement, “This Product Contains Sulfiting Agents“ (or the specific name of the sulfite compound). Read our post to get some answer to your doubts Now that sulfites are included on every wine label, everyone seems a little concerned. In most countries, like Canada, Australia, and the US, sulfites are required to … In addition to these natural sources, you'll also find sulfites as additives in tons of other eats. Yes, sulfates are bad for you. Robert Camuto, author of Corkscrewed, dispels some of the myths about those demons of the wine world, sulfites. What we do know: Sulfites can cause itchy skin, low blood pressure, abdominal pain, and diarrhea—as well as life-threatening anaphylactic shock and asthma attacks. Sulfites are inorganic salts and don't contain the proteins that cause true allergic reactions to foods. Get the latest information, tips & recipes for healthy living delivered directly to your inbox. This can be tough, especially since sulfites are in many foods and drugs. (Never mind the fact that you took a sip every time someone insisted they were there for the right reasons and killed half a bottle; it was the sulfites, dammit!). Sulfites are food additives that can trigger allergy symptoms in some people, especially those with asthma. They’re used to keep dried fruit like apricots from turning brown and to prevent unwanted bacteria from spoiling the wine. Do you regularly check labels for the presence of sulphites or sulfites? Luckily, you can totally identify which of your go-to foods and drinks contain sulfites. Sulfites prevent unwanted fermentation, hence, the wine maker can have complete control over the fermentation process. If you aren’t sure if a product contains sulphites, don’t take any chances. And when the original organic law was passed by Congress in 1990, that text was written in. Women's Health participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Keri Gans, RD, dietitian and author of The Small Change Diet, recommends keeping an eye out for the following: Though sulfites get blamed for practically everything, they aren’t necessarily bad. She has authored, co-authored, and written more than 50 books and thousands of articles on a wide range of topics. Margaret Moss elucidates: Sulphur dioxide (E220), sodium sulphite (E221), sodium bisulphite (E222), sodium metabisulphite (E223), potassium metabisulphite (E224), calcium sulphite (E226) and calcium bisulphite (E227) are preservatives that cause symptoms in susceptible people, and particularly in some asthmatics. Most people complain about getting headaches from red wine, and as we know, red wines contain the least amount of sulfites. Here’s a list of where you can expect to encounter sulphites or sulfites: Places you will not see sulphites are on fresh fruits and vegetables (with the exception of raw grapes and sliced potatoes) or on pre-packaged meat, poultry, and fish (except tuna and crustaceans), where they are allowed. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. That designation may not mean much to you, but to a small portion of the population, it means the difference between a relaxing glass of wine and a possible trip to the emergency room. Sulphites may cause allergy-like symptoms, such as breathing problems, diarrhea, dizziness, drop in blood pressure, flushing, hives, trouble swallowing, upset stomach, and vomiting. Humans produce about 1,000 milligrams of sulfites each day, but sulfites are also used as a food presevative for several foods, including wine and dried fruit. In fact, there are lots of foods that contain sulfites too, like some jams, frozen vegetables and raisins. While their reputation as the migraine harbingers isn't exactly deserved, they can cause other serious problems. Sulfites are preservatives and antioxidants. What is sulfite intolerance – and are sulfites actually bad for you? About 1 percent of people have a sulfite sensitivity. Every wine has some sulfites; they are a byproduct of fermentation. “They also prevents the growth of undesirable microorganisms during fermentation and food processing.”. The FDA estimates that less than 1% of the U.S. population is sulfite-sensitive, so it is relatively rare. They’re also detrimental to your health for several additional reasons. By law, additives like sulfites have to be listed on a product's ingredients list, says Keatley. Probably not. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. “Billions of people consume sulfites with no reaction whatsoever,” Keatley says. They also occur naturally in foods. Although these preservatives are common in our food supply, you can take steps to avoid them as much as possible. If you have asthma, there is about a 5-10% chance you have sulfite sensitivity. Sulfites are a preservative many people are sensitive to that can severely aggravate asthma . Do you need to worry about sulfite allergy or sulfite sensitivity? Government agencies consider sulfite ingredients as “generally recognized as safe” for human consumption at low concentrations. “Sulfites are one of the top 10 allergens in the United States,” Keatley says. While researching these articles, what really shocks me is the number of industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and really bad food we as a nation actually eat. However, there is always confusion on the matter. “Billions of people consume sulfites with no reaction whatsoever,” Keatley says. These reactions can range from so mild you might not even notice them to quite severe. The sulfites issue is an important one when talking about wine. Like, do you get a hangover after you have tea? However, you also should know that sulphites can appear under many different names. Sulphites can trigger anaphylactic shock and asthma. Dr. Joseph Eastern answered. While it may stir up some concerns, sulfites have no negative effect at all on most people. Government agencies consider sulfite ingredients as “generally recognized as safe” for human consumption at low concentrations. Or eat trail mix? When you feel like crap after a night of vino and The Bachelor, it’s easy to point your finger at the sulfites—a.k.a. Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more. It's not just "many" wines that have sulfites. “Sulfites are found naturally in a variety of foods,” Warren says. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has decreed that sulfites are safe, but recommends that they should be avoided by people with asthma, liver or kidney problems. The United States requires labeling for sulfites in wine above 10 parts per million (PPM – or 10 mg/L). What Wine Experts Drink: The 6 Best Summer Wines, 10 Wine Bottle Hacks For When You Don’t Have a Wine Opener. Look out, though; sulfites can show up under a few different names. 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