Comparing E508 - Potassium chloride vs E511 - Magnesium chloride
Overview
Synonyms
Products
Found in 33 products
Found in 13 products
Search rank & volume
Awareness score
Search volume over time
Interest over time for 3 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Popular questions
What is potassium chloride used for?
In foods, E508 is used as a sodium‑reducing salt substitute and flavoring agent, and it can help with preservation and texture in products like cured meats, brines, and some gels/dairy.
Is potassium chloride good for you?
It can help lower sodium intake and adds potassium, but typical food amounts are small and it isn’t a health supplement; benefits depend on your diet and health status.
Is potassium chloride safe?
Yes—it's approved/GRAS and considered safe at normal food-use levels; people with kidney problems or on potassium‑raising drugs (e.g., ACE inhibitors, ARBs, potassium‑sparing diuretics) should be cautious with high‑potassium salt substitutes.
Is potassium chloride bad for you?
Not for most people at food levels, but excessive intake can raise blood potassium (hyperkalemia) and upset the stomach, especially in those with kidney or heart disease or on certain medications.
Is potassium chloride a salt?
Yes—it's an inorganic salt (KCl), often used as a substitute for table salt (sodium chloride).
Is magnesium chloride good for you?
In foods, E511 simply provides magnesium—an essential mineral—and is considered safe at typical levels; it doesn’t confer special benefits beyond helping meet magnesium needs. Very high supplemental intakes can cause diarrhea and are risky for people with kidney problems.
What is magnesium chloride good for?
As a food additive (E511), it’s used as a coagulant (notably for tofu/nigari), a stabiliser/firming agent, and a source of magnesium for fortifying foods; it can also adjust water hardness in brewing.
Is magnesium chloride safe for pets?
Ingesting small amounts may cause mild stomach upset, but de-icing products containing magnesium chloride can irritate paws and cause vomiting/diarrhea if licked; large doses can disturb electrolytes—rinse paws and contact a vet if significant ingestion occurs.
What is magnesium chloride used for?
In foods, E511 is used to coagulate soy milk into tofu, stabilize/firm certain processed foods, and supply magnesium for fortification; outside food, it’s also used in de-icing and pharmaceuticals.
Is magnesium chloride safe for concrete?
No—magnesium chloride de-icer can chemically degrade concrete over time (and promote rebar corrosion), especially on new or poorly sealed surfaces; alternatives are preferred for long-term concrete durability.