The Unexpected Reason Cinnabon Uses A Seaweed Derivative As An Ingredient - Mashed

The use of thickening agents derived from undersea plants and animals may sound like a relatively new concept, but the practice has been around for centuries. According to Smithsonian Magazine, isinglass, a type of jelly-like material derived from the dried bladders of sturgeons, was used in Europe as part of the beer-making process back in the eighteenth century and in certain breweries even today. In some cases, isinglass was used as a gelatin substitute.

Another common form of thickening agent derived from seaweed is carrageenan, which is derived from a type of red seaweed known as Irish Moss (via Scientific American). While carrageenan is used in a wide variety of foods, there are some who believe it is actually unsafe to consume. According to MedicineNet, individuals who have consumed foods with carrageenan experienced bloating and digestive problems such as cramps and diarrhea, which persisted until they cut the thickener out of their diets. Lack of clinical trials, however, has made these claims somewhat unsubstantiated, and the food industry has continued to use carrageenan in its products. 

While eating thickeners and emulsifiers made from seaweed may be off-putting to some, there are some benefits, although, not in their raw state. One particularly surprising benefit is that, when you eat seaweed-based snacks, you may actually be helping the marine ecosystem. 

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The Unexpected Reason Cinnabon Uses A Seaweed Derivative As An Ingredient - Mashed
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