Dipotassium phosphate in your food!

Have you eaten cheese lately or had pasta or a non-dairy creamer or even had a ready to drink protein shake, then likely you have consumed the ingredient dipotassium phosphate (DKP). DKP is in the product for multiple reasons including allowing it to stay stable until the expiration date that is on there.

DKP is a food additive that is GRAS or generally recognized as safe by the FDA. It can be used as a stabilizer and emulsifier as well as a buffering agent so that the products doesn’t get too acidic or basic and result in an off-taste. For these multiple reasons, it shows up in various products but DKP does have other benefits too.

Since it is a source of potassium and phosphate, it is often found in the sports supplement arena as a source of energy. How does this work? If you are doing an activity that requires endurance, the theory is that by having DKP in your product, you are able to recover faster and therefore have energy to perform the activity again without a long rest time. Basically, DKP is helping your body get oxygen moving around faster so you can continue with your activity. Again, all this science is great but if you are unsure about an ingredient and its effect, do some research as well as ask your doctor. Best to be aware of something and why it is there, rather than blindly consuming it, right?

Dipotassium phosphate can be a beneficial ingredient but if you are trying to avoid it, then it should be pretty to easy to do so as most labels do declare it. Check out the ingredient list and see if it meets your criteria for clean eating!

Be well!