Ham With or Without Polyphosphates?
Polyphosphates are derived from Phosphorus, which is an element found in nature in living cells as it carries out important functions for bone, nerve tissue, and membranes
In the food industry, phosphates are used in the form of polyphosphates, they are food thickeners recognizable by the initials E 400 up to E 495.
Their use is very vast in the food industry, ranging from the use of leavening bakery products, to reducing acidity, to better preserve meat and preformed foods. They are abundantly used in cured meats (cooked and raw ham), which is why it is advisable and appropriate request cured meats without polyphosphates.
It is important to talk about it today because several studies have associated high levels of phosphorus with cardiovascular risk.
Still there is no specific data on this type of association/risk but, for this reason, while waiting for more research, polyphosphates are an element to keep under control in your daily diet.
As always, the advice is to prefer a diet rich in fresh foods, no canned foods, and no precooked foods.