Currently, there is a wide variety of vermicelli available on the market, such as mung bean vermicelli and broad bean vermicelli, but more commonly, it is made from starches like sweet potato vermicelli and potato vermicelli. Due to its excellent ability to absorb flavors, vermicelli can soak up the rich taste of various broths, making them even more savory. Coupled with its own soft, smooth, and refreshing texture, it is especially popular when served as a cold dish in the summer.
People who enjoy vermicelli (including jelly noodles) sometimes eat a large bowl in one sitting, and some even rely on it as a staple food to satisfy hunger. This eating habit is actually not scientific. This is because many people are unaware that around 0.5% alum is added during the processing of vermicelli. The added alum mixes with the starch slurry, and as the vermicelli forms and dries, the alum content does not decrease but may even increase. As is well known, alum is aluminum sulfate, and because it contains a significant amount of aluminum, consuming large quantities of vermicelli means a large intake of aluminum. [China Cuisine]
According to the latest scientific research, the toxicity of aluminum to the human body is multifaceted. Excessive aluminum can affect the function of brain cells, thereby impacting and interfering with a person's consciousness and memory, leading to Alzheimer's disease. It can also cause cholestatic liver disease, soften bones, and lead to conditions such as microcytic hypochromic anemia and ovarian atrophy. Therefore, the intake of aluminum should not be taken lightly.
In 1989, the World Health Organization officially classified aluminum as a food contaminant and called for its control. According to scientific testing, the allowable daily intake of aluminum is 1 milligram per kilogram of body weight. This standard provides a scientific basis for countries worldwide to set food standards and also offers a way for us to enhance our own protection. Furthermore, it has been determined that we ingest about 4 milligrams of aluminum daily from aluminum tableware and 12 milligrams from natural foods. From this data, you can roughly calculate the allowable amount of vermicelli to consume. Also, after eating vermicelli, avoid consuming deep-fried crispy foods like youtiao (fried dough sticks), as they also contain a significant amount of aluminum. Consuming them together with vermicelli can cause a person's aluminum intake to far exceed the daily allowable limit. Therefore, for your health, please control your consumption of these aluminum-rich foods.