Table of contents:
- Facts about the benefits of whiting
- 1. Dental care
- 2. Straighten curly hair
- 3. Mixed food products
- The dangers behind the claims of benefits of whiting
- 1. Poisoning
- 2. Skin and eye damage
- 3. Respiratory problems
- 4. Botulism
Indonesian people may be familiar with whiting. This grayish white powder has long been known as a natural remedy for various health problems. Starting from whitening the armpits, strengthening teeth, eliminating body odor, to being used as a mixture into cooking ingredients. However, is it true that all the benefits of whiting have been claimed? Check out the full facts from the medical point of view below.
Facts about the benefits of whiting
Whiting or which has the industrial name calcium hydroxide is a compound made by mixing calcium oxide with water. The result of mixing the two substances produces a white powder or crystalline compound that is odorless and strongly alkaline.
The properties of whiting have been known for a long time for waste treatment, paper production and building construction, and food manufacturing. Do not stop there, whiting also has medical uses as an ingredient for dental care.
1. Dental care
Calcium hydroxide has been used as a major therapeutic agent in dentistry for decades because of its many health benefits.
In dentistry, calcium hydroxide is used to repair root canals and protect damaged tooth pulp. This is because potassium hydroxide has properties as an antibacterial and mineralizing agent.
In addition, calcium hydroxide can also help kill the bad bacteria that cause infection and is used as a short-term treatment to reduce pain and swelling before endodontic surgery.
Although it has been used as a dental care for a long time, you should not use whiting carelessly. Ideally, use this white powder under the supervision of a dentist. The goal is of course so that you avoid various bad things that can happen at any time.
2. Straighten curly hair
For those of you who have wavy or curly hair and are craving straight hair, whiting might help. In fact, calcium hydroxide is often added in several products. hair relaxing. Hair relaxing is a cream or liquid specifically designed to straighten curly hair. Calcium hydroxide can help straighten curly hair because this ingredient functions to break the sidulfide bonds that connect cysteine, which is an amino acid found in curly hair. When the sidulfide bonds are broken, this process will permanently change the physical structure of curly hair to become straighter, smoother, and easier to manage.3. Mixed food products
Many people use whiting to make food crispy and to make the dough thicker. Some foods that use whiting as a mixture include:
- Pickles. Want your pickles crispy and fresh? You can add whiting to it. Calcium in whiting can actually bind to pectin, making the pickles crunchier.
- Cornstarch.People in Central America have used calcium hydroxide to process corn for thousands of years. They soaked the raw corn kernels in water mixed with calcium hydroxide. This process makes it easier to process corn into flour and also helps stimulate the corn to release essential nutrients, such as niacin.
- Sugar.Calcium hydroxide can also be used for the refining of certain types of sugar. For example, sugarcane and beet sugar are sometimes processed using a refining process called carbonation. During carbonation, the untreated sugar solution is mixed with calcium hydroxide. This process removes impurities and improves product stability.
- Fruit juice.Fruit juices are sometimes enriched with calcium to increase their nutritional value. There are many ways to do this, one of which is by adding calcium hydroxide.
Not only limited to food products, calcium hydroxide can also be used in the processing of several soft drinks and alcoholic drinks.
Citing the interview of Dr. Lonah SpFK on TvOne during the event Let's Live Healthy in tvOne, It is known that whiting is safe to be processed with food. Although it is safe, Dr. Lonah said that the use of whiting in food should not be excessive. Instead, use small amounts.
The dangers behind the claims of benefits of whiting
Although it offers health benefits, calcium hydroxide also has the risk of being toxic and can cause serious health problems if used carelessly. Here are some of the dangers of calcium hydroxide:
1. Poisoning
For some people who are sensitive to whiting, accidentally ingesting calcium hydroxide can cause a severe sore throat, burning sensation in the mouth, stomach pain, vomiting, bloody bowel movements, rapid blood pressure drop and collapse. Calcium hydroxide poisoning can also make the pH of the blood too alkaline, which can cause organ damage.
2. Skin and eye damage
Exposure to the skin can cause burns, very painful irritation, and necrosis. Temporary exposure to the eye can cause severe pain and vision loss which can be temporary or permanent.
The use of random whiting for hair care can also cause burns and damage to the hair and scalp.
3. Respiratory problems
Inhaling calcium hydroxide through the nose or mouth can also cause immediate, painful and potentially life-threatening complications. The throat and nose can be very painful and swollen.
As a result, it becomes difficult for you to breathe. When calcium hydroxide particles are carried to the lungs, they can obstruct your airway.
4. Botulism
Based on case reports, improper use of calcium hydroxide in food can increase the risk of botulism. Botulism is a rare but serious disease that can cause paralysis.
Although there are few cases of people suffering from botulism due to calcium hydroxide, this effect can be a strong consideration so that you don't process food carelessly.
