Calcium alginate
Other names Algin calcium salt, E404
Calcium alginate: low in FODMAPs and nickel. If you're sensitive to any of these, check it against your profile before eating.
Intolerances
- FODMAPsLow
Calcium alginate comes from brown seaweed and ferments in the colon - but slowly and evenly, without the fast osmotic pull that makes a FODMAP a FODMAP. Low rather than none, because it does feed the bacteria; low rather than high, because it does it gently and is used in fractions of a percent.
- NickelLow
Calcium alginate is the form that sets into a gel, used for beads and for reformed foods. It comes from brown seaweed like the rest of the family, and carries the same small residue. Seaweed is the reason nickel is asked about here at all: it concentrates trace elements from seawater, and the review behind this level is about exactly that load in seaweed and in the ingredients made from it.
Sources· 1
- Bouga M. & Combet E., Foods 4 (2015) 240-253, trace elements and contaminants in seaweed and seaweed-containing foods
- LactoseFODMAPsNone
- Histamine (+liberators / DAO inhibitors)None
- GlutenNo
- FructoseFODMAPsNone
- OligosaccharidesFODMAPsNone
- SorbitolFODMAPsNone
- SucroseNone
- TyramineNone
- SalicylateNone
- OxalatesNone
Intolerance levels are based on our documented scientific sources. See sources →
React to FODMAPs? Check these too
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- Allura Red AC
- Alpha-tocopherol
Frequently asked questions
Which intolerances does Calcium alginate affect?
Calcium alginate is notable for FODMAPs and nickel. Clear on lactose, histamine, gluten, fructose, oligosaccharides, sorbitol, sucrose, tyramine, salicylate and oxalates.
Does Calcium alginate contain FODMAPs?
Calcium alginate contains only low levels of FODMAPs. Calcium alginate comes from brown seaweed and ferments in the colon - but slowly and evenly, without the fast osmotic pull that makes a FODMAP a FODMAP. Low rather than none, because it does feed the bacteria; low rather than high, because it does it gently and is used in fractions of a percent.
Does Calcium alginate contain nickel?
Calcium alginate contains only low levels of nickel. Calcium alginate is the form that sets into a gel, used for beads and for reformed foods. It comes from brown seaweed like the rest of the family, and carries the same small residue. Seaweed is the reason nickel is asked about here at all: it concentrates trace elements from seawater, and the review behind this level is about exactly that load in seaweed and in the ingredients made from it. Amounts vary by brand and recipe, so always check the label of the exact product.
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