Mayonnaise: nutritional value and chemical composition

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Mayonnaise is an unusual product. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that two liquids combine to form a viscous but solid form. In fact, this oil is combined with a small amount of egg yolk and an acidic liquid (such as lemon juice or vinegar), and often laced with mustard. It is a thick, creamy, stable emulsion. What is the nutritional value of mayonnaise, is it unhe althy?

Mayonnaise turns into a solid due to emulsification, that is, the process of combining two substances that would otherwise not mix (oil and water). It is believed that this is a typical "bad" food, saturated with cholesterol and fat. For many years, doctors have recommended eliminating it from the diet. But is it really that bad?

How is it made?

In order for the components to combine, an emulsifier is used (in this case, eggyolk) to combine the hydrophilic (water-loving) and lipophilic (oil-loving) components. This substance binds the lemon juice or vinegar to the oil and prevents the product from separating, producing a stable emulsion. In homemade mayonnaise, the emulsifiers are mainly egg yolk lecithin and similar substances in mustard. Commercial brands of mayonnaise may sometimes use other types of emulsifiers and stabilizers.

What could be the harm?

There is no doubt that this product is full of fat. The nutritional value and chemical composition of mayonnaise are as follows. One glass of this product contains 1440 calories, 160 grams of fat, 24 of which are saturated. However, it is an excellent source of vitamins E and K. It is worth noting that a glass of mayonnaise also contains almost 50 percent of the recommended daily amount of sodium.

A tablespoon of mayonnaise contains 5 mg of cholesterol, which is about 1.7 percent of the daily recommended intake of this substance. According to doctors, excessive consumption of cholesterol can lead to its accumulation in the arteries. It can also lead to heart disease, stroke, and other similar he alth problems.

In addition, each tablespoon of mayonnaise contains 90 milligrams of sodium, which is 3.8% of the recommended daily intake. According to scientific evidence, your body needs some of this micronutrient to keep systems such as the nervous and muscular systems functioning. However, most peopleinclude too much sodium in your diet. This can lead to excessively high blood pressure and similar complications.

Fat and flavor

Fatty foods like mayonnaise have a texture and taste that many people enjoy. Adding it to any meal will quickly add calories. So what about mayonnaise lovers? Moderation is one of the areas of work on oneself. Instead of drowning the salad in this dressing, use 1 tablespoon per person. The nutritional value of mayonnaise in this quantity (tablespoon) is as follows: 103 calories, 12 grams of fat (2 grams saturated). This makes the food less harmful.

Low Calorie Alternatives

If you're worried about too many calories, or just don't want to eat fatty foods regularly, there are plenty of alternatives on the market. Lighter varieties of mayonnaise use some fat substitutes (such as xanthan gum and cornstarch), preservatives (such as citric acid), or add a source of sweetness (such as high fructose corn syrup) to enhance the flavor. Thus, the nutritional value of mayonnaise marked “light” changes: the calorie content becomes much lower, but the additives make it even less useful.

Commercially available types of this product

Today you can find several varieties of this popular sauce on sale. The difference lies in the amount of fat and the composition of the product. Depending on these parameters, food and energythe value of mayonnaise varies significantly. So, the following types are industrially produced:

1. Easy. Any product labeled "light" contains about a third fewer calories than the regular version. The nutritional value of mayonnaise in 100 g (light) is 250-350 calories, depending on the manufacturer. As noted above, such a product contains too many additional additives.
2. Medium-calorie. It usually contains 25 percent less fat than a regular product. Its calorie content is 450-500 kcal per hundred grams of the product.
3. High-calorie is the standard mayonnaise most often found on store shelves. Its fat content is 55% or more. Provencal mayonnaise belongs to the same type of product, the nutritional value of which is impressive: 67 percent fat and 800 kcal per hundred grams.

He althy oil versions of the sauce

Mayonnaise with olive oil or canola oil is suggested as a "he althier" sauce option. Both types contain more heart-he althy monounsaturated fats, but the nutritional value of 100 grams of mayonnaise. remains unchanged. In addition, olive oil sauce is most often made from a mixture of several oils so that the flavor of the olives is not too strong.

Vegan or lean mayonnaise

Some types of mayonnaise are made entirely from plant foods. This means that they do not contain eggs and egg powder, and most often have a soy base. This sauce is suitable for people who haveare allergic to eggs, are vegetarian or fast.

What about the bacteria content?

The concern about bacteria in mayonnaise is mainly due to the fact that homemade sauce is usually made from raw egg yolk. Commercial mayonnaise is usually not a problem because it's made from pasteurized eggs and is made in a way that keeps it safe.

So if you feel sick after eating a dressed salad, then most likely the sauce is not to blame. Any store-bought mayonnaise contains acid, which also helps keep bacteria from growing. The most important thing is to follow the usual food safety rules, in particular in terms of refrigeration.

Homemade mayonnaise that has the right amount of acid and is refrigerated also contains minimal bacteria.

What can be said in conclusion?

It's undeniable that mayonnaise is high in fat. This does not mean that you should avoid it for the rest of your life. It can be part of a he althy diet when eaten in very small amounts. If you're trying to cut down on your calorie intake, there are many light, low-fat varieties on the market. As you can see, the nutritional value of mayonnaise differs depending on its type. If you're trying to cut down on the amount of supplements in your diet, you can always make your own sauce.