what is lecithin used for in food

Lecithin is a naturally occurring substance derived from several sources, including egg yolks, soybeans, sunflower, canola, corn, and others. In food, lecithin is often used as an emulsifier, which helps improve the texture and quality of products. It can also be used as an antioxidant and flavor protector. Emulsifiers in food are used to improve quality or shelf life through strengthening dough in baked goods, stabilizing foams, preventing food from getting stale, or making foods more freeze-thaw stable. Lecithin can be found in many foods, including organ meats, red meat, seafood, eggs, and various vegetables and legumes. Common uses of lecithin in food creating an emulsion are vinegar and oil in dressings, cocoa and butter in chocolate, caramels, and sauces of many kinds including béarnaise and hollandaise. Lecithin is even used as a preservative, a surfactant, and a lubricant. Lecithin is also promoted as a health supplement for the brain.