Check out this answer from Consensus:
Sulphites can cause a variety of adverse reactions, particularly in sensitive individuals such as asthmatics. These reactions range from mild skin irritations to severe anaphylactic and asthmatic responses. High levels of sulphites can also be neurotoxic and cause significant health issues in animal studies. While the controlled use of sulphites is deemed justifiable due to their preservative benefits, further research is needed to fully understand the risks and mechanisms of sulphite sensitivity.
Sulphites are commonly used as preservatives and antioxidants in various industries, including food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals. Despite their widespread use, there is ongoing debate about their safety and potential adverse effects on human health.
Key Insights
- Adverse Reactions in Sensitive Individuals:
- Sulphites can cause a range of adverse reactions in sensitive individuals, including dermatitis, urticaria, flushing, hypotension, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and severe anaphylactic and asthmatic reactions1 4 8.
- Asthmatic individuals, particularly those who are steroid-dependent or have marked airway hyperresponsiveness, are at higher risk of adverse reactions to sulphites1 4 8.
- Neurotoxic Effects:
- High levels of sulphites can be neurotoxic, especially when combined with peroxynitrite, leading to decreased neuronal cell viability3.
- Allergic Reactions:
- Chronic and Acute Symptoms:
- Toxicity in Animal Studies:
- Long-term feeding studies in rats have shown that high levels of sulphites can cause growth retardation, anaemia, and hyperplastic changes in the stomach, although these effects are reversible6.
- Regulation and Risk Assessment: