Vegetable glycerin is used in food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals and is known for its moisturizing properties, ability to eliminate constipation and its positive effects on moisture and motility.
Vegetable Glycerin: Uses, Benefits and Side Effects
This clear liquid, commonly known as glycerin or glycerine, is mainly derived from soy, coconut or palm oil.
This naturally extracted substance has no odor and tastes slightly sweet with a viscous texture reminiscent of syrup.
Vegetable glycerin is mainly praised in the cosmetic field, but its application range is very wide. The health benefits of vegetable glycerin include enhancing skin vitality, improving hydration levels and strengthening intestinal health.
What is vegetable glycerin?
Glycerin is a sugar alcohol that is extracted from animal products, plants or petroleum.
Vegetable glycerin is a variant made from vegetable oil. It is said to have been discovered accidentally more than two centuries ago by heating a mixture of olive oil and lead monoxide.
But it was not until the late 19th century when it was first used to make explosives that it gained economic and industrial significance.
Vegetable glycerin is made by applying pressure or heating triglyceride-rich vegetable fats (such as palm oil, soybean oil, and coconut oil) with a strong base such as lye. .
This causes the glycerin to separate from the fatty acids and mix with water to form a tasteless, sweet, syrupy liquid.
Common Uses of Vegetable Glycerin
Vegetable glycerin is widely used in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries.
For example, it is often added to foods to help oil-based and water-based ingredients mix, sweeten, or moisten the final product.
It also prevents ice crystals from forming in frozen foods such as low-fat frozen yogurt, ice cream, and other desserts.
Glycerin is a common ingredient in medicines, including heart medications, suppositories, cough medicines, and anesthetics.
Vegetable glycerin is also found in toothpaste, where it helps prevent the toothpaste from drying out or hardening in the tube.
It is also often added to soaps, candles, lotions, deodorants, and cosmetics. .
Potential Benefits of Vegetable Glycerin
Vegetable glycerin has been touted as a product with a variety of health benefits.
Vegetable glycerin can moisturize the skin
Vegetable glycerin has become a popular skin care product for its moisturizing abilities.
Studies have shown that applying glycerin to the skin can gradually improve the smoothness and softness of the skin. In fact, using a cream containing glycerin can increase the hydration of the skin in just 10 days.
In one study, a cream made with glycerin was more effective than creams made with silicone or hyaluronic acid in replenishing moisture to the skin and preventing moisture loss.
In another study, adding glycerin to a warm bath was more effective than using a warm bath alone in increasing skin moisture and preventing skin allergies.
Vegetable glycerin can promote skin health
Vegetable glycerin can help soothe skin allergies, prevent infections, and promote wound healing, thereby improving skin health.
Studies have shown that using products containing glycerin can protect the skin from irritants and microorganisms and soothe inflamed or injured skin. .
In addition, vegetable glycerin can block external factors such as wind and cold from damaging the skin. .
Another study reported that vegetable glycerin may be more effective than a placebo at reducing itching in people with eczema. However, it did not seem to affect stinging, itching, dryness, or irritation.
Vegetable glycerin may relieve constipation
This is because it draws water into the intestines. This has a laxative effect, helping digested food pass more smoothly through the intestines.
For this reason, glycerin is often used as a suppository.
In one study, glycerin suppositories were significantly more effective than other types of laxatives in relieving constipation caused by pain medications.
In another study, glycerin enemas were 16.5% more effective than liquid soap enemas in relieving constipation. .
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