Can you ingest glycerin

It is said to have been accidentally discovered more than two centuries ago by heating a mixture of olive oil and lead monoxide. But it only became economically and industrially significant in the late s when it was first used to make dynamite. Vegetable glycerin is made by heating triglyceride-rich vegetable fats — such as palm , soy and coconut oils — under pressure or together with a strong alkali, such as lye. This causes the glycerin to split away from the fatty acids and mix together with water, forming an odorless, sweet-tasting, syrup-like liquid.

Vegetable glycerin is a slightly sweet, syrupy liquid made by heating vegetable fats under pressure or together with a strong alkali. For instance, it is often added to foods to help oil and water-based ingredients mix, sweetening or moistening the final product. It can be also used to prevent ice crystals from forming in frozen foods, such as low-fat frozen yogurt , ice cream and other desserts.

Glycerin is a common ingredient in pharmaceutical drugs, including heart medication, suppositories, cough remedies and anesthetics. Additionally, you can find vegetable glycerin in toothpaste, as it helps prevent the toothpaste from drying out or hardening in the tube. Vegetable glycerin has several uses.

The most popular are cosmetics, pharmaceutical drugs and food products. However, only a few benefits are supported by science — and the related studies tend to be few and small. Keep in mind that more studies are needed on its health benefits. Research shows that applying glycerin to your skin may gradually improve its smoothness and suppleness. In fact, using creams containing glycerin may increase skin hydration in as few as 10 days 1 , 2.

In one study, a cream made from glycerin was more effective than those made from silicone oil or hyaluronic acid at hydrating skin and preventing loss of moisture 3. In another study, adding glycerin to a warm water bath was more effective at improving skin moisture levels and protecting against skin irritation than a warm water bath alone 4. Vegetable glycerin may lead to better skin health by helping soothe skin irritation, protect against infection and promote wound healing.

Studies show that applying glycerin-containing products may protect your skin against irritants and microbes, as well as soothe inflamed or wounded skin 5 , 6.

Moreover, vegetable glycerin may act as a barrier to safeguard your skin from the elements, including wind and cold 5. Another study reports that vegetable glycerin may be more effective than a placebo at reducing sensations of smarting in people with eczema. However, it appears to have no effect on stinging, itching, drying or irritation 7. Vegetable glycerin may provide some relief from constipation. This has a laxative effect , which helps digested food move through your gut more smoothly.

In one study, glycerin suppositories were significantly more effective at reducing constipation caused by pain-killing medication than other types of laxatives 8. In another, a glycerin enema was Additionally, glycerin in food can be used as a sweetener or preservative. It's even used in pharmaceuticals to make capsules for medicine. The ACC explains that, cosmetically, vegetable glycerin can be found in toothpaste, hair conditioner, makeup and moisturizers. The same components that help keep food moist can also help bring moisture to the surface of the skin and keep skin smooth, and it helps protect the skin from irritants.

Glycerol's ability to protect against irritants is one of the reasons it is commonly used to make cough syrup, in which it protects the throat from irritation that might induce coughing.

E-cigarettes vaporize a combination of propylene glycol and glycerol, which could be dangerous for the lungs. As the Mayo Clinic points out, there is no long-term safety data showing how inhaling vegetable glycerin affects lung tissue, and short-term data shows that it can be an irritant to airways.

Although the FDA notes that glycerin in food is safe, as vegetable glycerin is turned into glucose by the body and used for energy, this does not mean it is safe in vaping.

A September study published in Cosmetic Ingredient Review looked at the safety of glycerin in cosmetics. Examining multiple studies on animal and human subjects, the review panel saw low toxicity in oral and dermal uses, and observed that for the high frequency of glycerin use, there are few instances of people reporting toxicity, irritation or sensitivity.

When it comes to inhalation, the panel considered the exposure from aerosol hairsprays, deodorants, body and hand sprays, sunscreens and so forth. They typically include glycerin in cough syrups, ointments, expectorants, anesthetics, and lozenges. Manufacturers may also include it in capsules for drugs. While more research is necessary, the potential health benefits of vegetable glycerin may include:.

As glycerin is a humectant, it can help skin retain moisture. Glycerin is able to diffuse into a layer of the skin known as the stratum corneum , making it an effective moisturizer. For this reason, many manufacturers add glycerin to topical products. A study notes that glycerin is effective for alleviating skin dryness, while another study suggests that it can also help to improve the barrier function of the skin. Retaining moisture and maintaining skin barrier function are important for sustaining skin health.

While more research is necessary, a mouse study also suggests that glycerin may possess anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory properties. As glycerin has a laxative effect , people can use it to relieve constipation. When a person administers glycerin rectally, it helps to lubricate the rectum and soften stools. It draws water towards the hardened stool and helps the bowel muscles to contract more effectively. Although research is scarce, some evidence suggests that vegetable glycerin may have some benefits on athletic performance.

Fluid loss can have a detrimental impact on athletic performance, which is why maintaining hydration is important. People typically lose fluids through sweat or urination. When a person consumes glycerin, it can help enhance fluid retention and decrease the volume of urine. One older study notes that consuming glycerin may help to improve athletic performance, but may cause an increase in body weight. Other research notes that consuming creatine and glycerin may help endurance runners reduce strain on their cardiovascular system.

However, this study also notes that it may increase body weight due to fluid retention. Another older, small study of nine athletes suggests that glycerin is more effective for rehydration than water, a sports drink, or saline. It found the best effects with a combination of IV fluids and oral glycerol. However, the study found that it did not significantly improve exercise performance. While glycerin is generally safe and non-toxic, a person who consumes it orally may have some side effects.

They can include :. Vegetable glycerin also can rarely cause an allergic reaction. For example, a study found that a person who received an enema mixture containing glycerin developed a skin rash.

In a severe case, an allergic reaction to glycerin could cause anaphylaxis. Due to its consistency, some people might consider using glycerin as a vaginal lubricant.