Comparing E251 - Sodium nitrate vs E301 - Sodium ascorbate
Overview
Synonyms
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Found in 818 products
Found in 214 products
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Search volume over time
Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Interest over time for 3 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Popular questions
What is sodium nitrate used for?
In foods, sodium nitrate (E251) is used as a preservative and color-fixative in cured meats and some cheeses, where it slowly converts to nitrite to help inhibit harmful bacteria and maintain the characteristic pink color.
Is sodium nitrate bad for you?
At permitted food levels it's considered safe; regulators set an acceptable daily intake of 3.7 mg nitrate ion per kg body weight per day. High intakes from processed meats are linked to increased colorectal cancer risk, so levels are strictly controlled and often paired with ascorbate to limit nitrosamines.
Is sodium nitrate soluble in water?
Yes—it's highly water-soluble (about 90 g per 100 g water around room temperature), with solubility increasing as temperature rises.
How to get sodium nitrate nms?
That refers to the video game No Man’s Sky and is outside the scope of food additives; in foods, sodium nitrate is a curing preservative mainly used in dry-cured meats.
Is sodium nitrate soluble?
Yes; it is very soluble in water and only sparingly soluble in alcohols, while being essentially insoluble in nonpolar solvents.
Is sodium ascorbate vitamin c?
Yes—sodium ascorbate is the sodium salt of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and provides vitamin C, with no proven bioavailability advantage over other forms; it also contributes some sodium.
What is sodium ascorbate used for?
As a food additive (E301) it acts as an antioxidant and acidity regulator, helping prevent oxidation and maintain color (e.g., in meats and beverages), and it’s also used to fortify foods or as a vitamin C supplement.
How to make sodium ascorbate?
It’s produced by neutralizing L-ascorbic acid with a sodium base (commonly sodium bicarbonate or sodium carbonate) and then drying; food-grade production is controlled for purity and is not recommended to replicate at home.
How to take sodium ascorbate?
Follow the product label, typically taken with water or food; don’t exceed about 2,000 mg/day of vitamin C from all sources unless advised, and account for the added sodium.
Is sodium ascorbate safe?
Yes—E301 is approved in the EU, USA, and Australia/New Zealand and is generally recognized as safe at typical food and supplement levels; high intakes may cause gastrointestinal upset, increase sodium intake, and may not suit people prone to kidney stones or on sodium-restricted diets.