What are these sulfites? Are you also bothered by them?

Today we are going to talk about something that is around us every day, but can cause some people a little trouble, sometimes a little big, and that is called Sulfites . You may have heard this name before, or you may not have. However, it doesn't matter, today we will talk about these Sulfites in detail, very simply. Because being aware of this can be very important for you and me, and for all of us.

What are sulfites? Simply put...

Okay, now let's see what kind of sulfites are. Simply put, sulfites are a group of chemical compounds that contain the chemical element sulfur. They occur naturally in some foods and in small amounts in our bodies. However, today we are mostly talking about sulfites, which are added to food to preserve it and prevent it from spoiling.

Just think about how long some of the foods and drinks we buy from the store can be kept without spoiling. The main thing that helps with that is sulfites. They are called food preservatives . These have several main functions:

• It stops the growth of microorganisms like bacteria and fungi that spoil food.
• It prevents food from discoloring, that is, changing color (especially in fruits and vegetables).
• It stops the oils in food from oxidizing (we call them "rotting") and giving off bad odors. It also acts as an antioxidant .

So, it is because of these benefits that sulfites are widely used in the food industry.

How are sulfites used in food and drinks?

You might be surprised to learn how many sulfites are in food and drinks. Let's take a look at the main places where they can be found:

• Dried Fruit: Sulfites are used to preserve and preserve the color of your favorite dried fruits, such as raisins, apricots, figs, and dates.
• Wine and beer: Sulfites are used to control the fermentation process and prevent spoilage, especially in white wines. They can also be found in red wines and beers.
• Fruit juice: In some bottled and packaged fruit juices.
• Potato products: Stop store-bought items like French fries and potato chips from turning brown.
• Seafood like shrimp and crab: Because these change color quickly, sulfites are sometimes added to prevent this.
• Pickles, chutneys, jams, jellies: These also help preserve food.
• Some sauces, salad dressings.
• Even in some medications: Rarely, sulfites are used to preserve some medications.

Just think, have you ever wondered how dried apricots, prunes, etc., retain their characteristic color and remain on store shelves for months without spoiling? Or a bottle of wine... Well, that's where this friend (for some, an enemy!) called sulfites helps.

Does everyone have a problem with sulfites?

Now you're probably thinking, "Oh, so these sulfites are so dangerous, how can we eat them?" Don't be afraid. The truth is, for the majority of people in the world, sulfites are something that doesn't cause any problems and can be tolerated normally.

But, just like some people are allergic to peanuts, others are allergic to seafood, a small percentage of the population can be allergic to sulfites. We call this sulfite sensitivity . While this is not exactly an allergy, it can cause symptoms similar to an allergy.

A certain percentage of people with asthma (especially those with severe asthma or those who are dependent on steroid medications) are more likely to be sensitive to these sulfites. These are the people who need to be most concerned about this.

What are the symptoms of sulfite sensitivity?

If you experience one or more of these symptoms after eating a food containing sulfites, it's a good idea to be concerned.

• Breathing difficulties (these are the most common):
• Wheezing is a "whistling" sound coming from the chest when breathing.
• Cough.
• Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing.
• Chest tightness.

• Symptoms similar to other allergies:
• Skin changes: sudden rash, hives, flushing, itching.
• Digestive system problems: nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea.
• Headache.
• Dizziness, feeling of lightheadedness.

• Very rare severe reactions:
• Sometimes, very rarely, this condition can be a little more serious. In medicine, we call it anaphylaxis . This can be a severe allergic reaction that affects the whole body. For example, a sudden swelling of the airways to the point of being unable to breathe, a sudden drop in blood pressure, and other life-threatening conditions. If this happens, you should go to the hospital immediately without delay. But, remember, such severe conditions are very, very rare due to sulfites.

How do sulfites affect people with asthma?

As we mentioned before, our friends with asthma need to be a little more careful about sulfites. This is because sulfites can act as an asthma trigger . This means that when sulfites are ingested, asthma symptoms (coughing, wheezing, chest tightness) can begin or worsen.

The reason for this is thought to be that when you eat a food containing sulfites, a gas called sulfur dioxide is produced in the stomach. When this gas enters the respiratory tract, it stimulates the nerves there and causes bronchoconstriction. This effect is greater in someone with asthma, as their airways are already sensitive.

However, not everyone with asthma is allergic to sulfites. However, a significant number of people may have this problem. Therefore, if you have asthma, it is very important to be aware of this.

How do I know if I have a sulfite sensitivity?

This is a bit of a complicated issue, because there is not usually a specific blood test that can say for sure, "I have a sulfite intolerance."

• The most important thing is observation: After you eat or drink something, especially one that's high in sulfites, see if those symptoms (such as difficulty breathing, skin rashes) appear within a few hours.
• Food and Symptom Diary: If you suspect you have a food allergy, keep a food and drink diary for a few days. Also, write down when you started having symptoms and what they were. This will help you and your doctor figure out if there is a connection.
• Medical advice: If you experience these symptoms frequently, it is best to see a doctor and talk about it. The doctor will ask you questions, examine you, and, if necessary, refer you for further tests to help find the cause. Sometimes, under medical supervision, you can try things like eliminating foods containing sulfites for a while (Elimination Diet), then gradually reintroducing them (Challenge Test). But it is not a good idea to do these things on your own.

How to minimize the problems caused by sulfites?

If you have been diagnosed with, or strongly suspect you have, sulfite sensitivity, don't panic. There are a few things you can do to help you live with this condition:

1. Reading Food Labels: This is the most important thing . There is now a law in many countries that if a food contains more than a certain amount of sulfites, it must be clearly stated on the label. So, when you buy any food or drink from the store, read the ingredients list carefully.

• The word "Sulfites" may be missing. Instead, there may be names like: Sulfur dioxide, Potassium bisulfite, Potassium metabisulfite, Sodium bisulfite, Sodium metabisulfite, Sodium sulfite. If you see a word like this, understand that it contains sulfites.

2. Avoid foods high in sulfites: It's best to consume as little as possible, or completely avoid, foods that you know are bad for you, or that are known to be high in sulfites (such as the dried fruits we talked about earlier, wine, and some processed foods).

3. Prioritize fresh, unprocessed foods: Eat as much home-cooked food as possible, including fresh vegetables, fruits, meat, and fish. Processed, packaged, and canned foods are most likely to contain these preservatives.

4. Asking at restaurants: If you're eating out, especially when buying things like salads and soups, it's a good idea to ask if they contain sulfites.

What else do you need to know about sulfites?

• Threshold Level: Not everyone experiences symptoms at the same level. Some people can experience symptoms even after consuming very small amounts of sulfites. Others can experience symptoms even after consuming a slightly higher amount. It varies from person to person.
• Does cooking affect it?: Sometimes, when cooking food, the amount of sulfites can be reduced a little. But they are not completely eliminated. Therefore, even when cooked, it can cause problems for sensitive people.

Summary and things to remember

Okay, so we talked a lot about sulfites today, didn't we? I think you have a good understanding of this now. Shall we briefly recap what we talked about?

Sulfites are chemicals used primarily to preserve food.

While most people do not experience any problems from these, for a small number of people, especially those with asthma, they can cause a variety of symptoms, from breathing difficulties to other allergic symptoms.

The most important thing is:

• Be careful about what you eat and drink.
• Develop the habit of reading food labels .
• If you think you have, or suspect you have, a sulfite sensitivity, seek medical advice.
• If you have a sensitivity, avoid foods containing sulfites as much as possible.

There is nothing to fear. When we are aware of these things, we can protect our health, minimize problems, and live happily. If you have any further questions about this, be sure to talk to your family doctor.

` Sulfites, Food allergies, Asthma, Breathing difficulties, Food preservatives, Sulfur dioxide