SILICON – EFSA
June 1st, 2004
BY KEITH NUTHALL
TOO much vitamin C can play havoc with digestion, but silicon is safe to eat, says the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Silicon naturally occurs in foods as silicon dioxide and silicates, added as silica, silicates and dimethylpolysiloxane anti-caking and anti-foaming agents and in antacids. EFSA says typical intakes (20-50 mg silicon/day) are probably safe, but 3-4 g/day of Vitamin C above normal dietary levels can cause abdominal distension, flatulence, diarrhoea and transient colic.
TOO much vitamin C can play havoc with digestion, but silicon is safe to eat, says the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Silicon naturally occurs in foods as silicon dioxide and silicates, added as silica, silicates and dimethylpolysiloxane anti-caking and anti-foaming agents and in antacids. EFSA says typical intakes (20-50 mg silicon/day) are probably safe, but 3-4 g/day of Vitamin C above normal dietary levels can cause abdominal distension, flatulence, diarrhoea and transient colic.
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