Comparing E511 - Magnesium chloride vs E518 - Magnesium sulphate
Overview
Synonyms
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Found in 13 products
Found in 0 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 4 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Popular questions
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.
What do epsom salts do?
In foods, magnesium sulfate (E518) acts mainly as a firming agent and magnesium nutrient; brewers also use it to adjust water chemistry, which can accentuate hop bitterness and support yeast.
Do epsom salts work?
Yes—at good manufacturing practice levels it effectively firms certain fruits and vegetables and supplies magnesium, and in brewing it reliably adjusts flavor balance and fermentation; it’s GRAS in the U.S. and authorized in the EU as E518.
How do epsom salts work?
Magnesium ions cross-link pectins and interact with proteins to improve firmness/texture, while also providing bioavailable magnesium; in brewing, sulfate/magnesium in the water can enhance hop bitterness and support yeast performance.
What is magnesium sulfate used for?
As a food additive it’s used as a firming agent in processed produce, as a magnesium nutrient supplement, and to modify brewing water chemistry; it’s permitted at levels consistent with good manufacturing practice.
What plants like epsom salts?
Plants showing magnesium deficiency—often tomatoes, peppers, and roses—may benefit because Epsom salt supplies magnesium and sulfur, but it offers little advantage in magnesium-sufficient soils and overuse can upset nutrient balance.