Is Calcium Carbonate Vegan?
Yes, calcium carbonate is a natural and vegan product.
Calcium carbonate is used as a water treatment chemical and an acid neutralizer in the paper industry.
It is also used in the food industry as a stabilizer for powdered milk and as a whitener for foods such as instant coffee and tea.
What is Calcium Carbonate?
Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is a naturally occurring essential mineral compound found in many forms, including limestone, chalk, marble, coral reefs, seashells and eggshells. Its chemical formula CaCO3 or chalk often refers to it.
Calcium carbonates are white powders with a slightly sweet taste. They are soluble in cold water and form soft, pliable, translucent masses when heated above about 100°C.
They lose their moisture content when exposed to air and become hard and brittle.
Calcium carbonates have been used since ancient times as a source of lime for making mortar and concrete.
The Romans used it to make plaster of Paris, while the Chinese made bricks. In modern times, calcium carbonates are still widely used as cement components.
Calcium carbonite is a common source of calcium carbonate. It is formed by heating calcium hydroxide at high temperatures.
This causes the calcium ions to migrate outwards into the surrounding oxygen-containing atmosphere, leaving behind the carbon dioxide gas molecules. These gases then combine to form calcium carbonate crystals.
Calcium carbonates are very similar to calcic clays but differ in containing more than 50% calcium carbonate. Calcitic clays usually have less than 40%.
Calcium carbonate has several uses in the food industry. For example, it is added to processed cheese products to give them a creamy texture. It is also added to baby formulas because it helps prevent dental enamel formation.
Calcium carbonated drinks are popular among children because they help build strong bones. Calcium carbonate is also used to coat some types of candy bars.
Calcium carbonated beverages include:
- Soda pop
- Mineral water
- Sparkling water
- Soft drink
- Sports drink
- Energy drink
- Fruit juice
Is Calcium Carbonate Safe?
Yes! Calcium carbonate is safe for humans.
Calcium carbonation is a process that occurs naturally in our bodies. We produce carbon dioxide through normal metabolic processes.
Therefore, we need to consume only small amounts of calcium carbonate to avoid any risk of poisoning.
Calcium carbonation is not harmful to plants or animals. However, excessive use of calcium carbonate may cause problems.
For example, if you overeat calcium carbonate, your body will absorb all the calcium carbonate present in your vegan diet.
Your body will not be able to absorb any other minerals, vitamins or nutrients. As a result, you could develop a deficiency of these vital elements.
Calcium carbonate is generally considered safe for human consumption.
However, there are certain conditions where people should consult a doctor before taking calcium carbonate supplements. These include:
- If you take blood thinners such as warfarin or aspirin
- If you have kidney disease
- If you have liver disease
- If you have an ulcer
- If you have diabetes
Speak with your doctor first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Calcium carbonate can pass through breast milk and harm your infant.
Are All Calcium Supplements Vegan?
No! Some calcium supplements are derived from animal sources. These include:
- Calcium lactate
- Calcium citrate
- Calcium glubionate
- Calcium phosphate
- Calcium carbonate
- Calcium chloride
- Calcium sulfate
- Calcium silicate
- Calcium magnesium acetate
- Calcium magnesium oxalate
What Goods & Foods Use Calcium Carbonate?
List of Calcium carbonate found in many foods. Here are just a few examples:
- Milk
- Cheese
- Yogurt
- Cottage cheese
- Cream cheese
- Ice cream
- Frozen yoghurt
- Margarine
- Bread
- Cereals
- Crackers
- Cheesecake
- Cookies
- Pancakes
- Pasta
- Pudding
- Salad dressings
- Soups
- Tofu
- Vegetables
Rich source of calcium carbonate:
- Oyster shells
- Shellfish
- Fish
- Shrimp
- Crab
- Lobster
- Clams
- Mussels
- Scallops
- Sea bass
How Much Calcium Do I Need?
The recommended daily calcium requirements are 1,200 mg per day for adults over 19 years old. This amount includes both dairy and non-dairy sources of calcium.
The RDI of calcium is based on average adult weight. A healthy person weighing 150 pounds needs about 500 milligrams of calcium each day.
A woman who is pregnant or nursing needs more calcium than usual. Her daily requirement increases to 700 mg during pregnancy and 900 mg while she is nursing.
The RDI of calcium for children ages 9 months to 8 years is 400 mg per day. Children between the ages of 9 and 18 years require 600 mg of calcium every day.
Children under age 9 do not need additional calcium because their bones are still developing.
It’s important to note that the RDI of calcium is just a guideline. It does not mean that everyone has to follow it strictly.
You may want to increase your calcium intake even higher. The best way to get enough calcium is by eating plenty of foods rich in this mineral component.
How Can I Increase My Intake Of Calcium?
You don’t necessarily have to consume only food items high in calcium. You can also increase calcium absorption with a vegan calcium carbonate supplement. There are several types of calcium available. They include:
- Calcium citrate
- Calcium carbonate
- Calcium gluconate
- Calcium stearate
- Calcium malate
- Calcium gluconate
- Calcium phosphate
Benefits of calcium carbonate:
Calcium carbonate is a natural substance found in the earth’s crust. It is one of the most abundant common minerals in our bodies.
Calcium elements play a vital role in maintaining strong bones and teeth. We use calcium to help regulate nerve impulses and efficient muscle contractions. Calcium helps maintain blood pressure and heart rhythm.
Calcium absorption is essential for good health. But there are other benefits associated with taking calcium supplements as well. For example, calcium reduces risk factors for osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by thinning of bone tissue. When you take calcium, you prevent the loss of bone mass.
Another benefit of calcium is that it may reduce the risk of colon cancer. Some studies suggest that people who eat diets low in calcium are at greater risk of getting colon cancer.
Intake of calcium supplements may also help protect against kidney stones. Kidney stones form when too much water builds up in the kidneys.
If you drink large amounts of fluids without adding extra salt, you may be prone to forming kidney stones.
Dietary supplements may also help lower cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is unsaturated fat that is present in all cells. High cholesterol levels are linked to cardiovascular problems such as stroke and coronary artery disease.
People who regularly consume dietary supplements tend to have lower cholesterol levels than those who don’t.
Calcium supplements are often used to treat certain medical conditions.
These include treating or preventing osteoporosis, reducing the risk of kidney stone formation, lowering cholesterol levels, and helping to control seizures.
Calcium supplements are safe if taken correctly. However, they should never replace a healthy diet.
People who take calcium supplements must ensure that they get adequate vitamin D from sunlight exposure. Vitamin D is needed to absorb calcium.
There are many different brands of calcium supplements on the market. Talk to your doctor about which brand would work best for you.
How do Vegans get their calcium?
Vegetarians and vegans need to ensure enough calcium in their diets. This includes consuming dairy products and non-dairy alternatives like tofu.
Some people choose to avoid dairy because of its impact on the environment.
Others choose to avoid dairy because they find it difficult to digest. Either way, it is essential to get enough calcium into your diet.
You can also purchase calcium supplements. Many manufacturers offer vegetarian options. Look for these labels: “vegan,” “no animal products,” or “cruelty-free.”
Last words
In case you decide to add calcium to your diet, talk to your doctor before doing so.
They will want to know how much calcium you currently consume and whether you are using any medications.
