1、 First Encounter: Starting from the shelf labels, on a winter evening last year, I was picking dumplings in the frozen food section of the supermarket. Under the cold light, the densely packed ingredient list on the packaging made me squint my eyes - the words' sodium lactate 'suddenly caught my eye. As a person with sensitive digestive system, the experience of being tossed around by unknown additives and running to the hospital suddenly surfaced. I couldn't help but mutter to my aunt who was also choosing food next to me, "Is this sodium lactate harmful to our body?" The aunt shook her head and said, "What food doesn't have additives now? It's better to be clean if you can't see it." But when I got home, I stared at the small words on the packaging bag, and my doubts were like sprouted seeds, which I couldn't help but feel. Later on, I learned that sodium lactate, as a food additive, is often used as a preservative, moisturizer, and flavor enhancer. It is not uncommon in daily foods such as bread, ham, and instant noodles. Take the instant braised food brought by my colleague last week as an example. I carefully checked the packaging and indeed saw "sodium lactate" in the middle of the ingredient list. At that moment, I suddenly realized that this once unfamiliar term had already quietly infiltrated our dietary life. So, what are the hazards of food additive sodium lactate to the human body reflected in? 2、 Physical protest: those signals that can't be ignored (I) Gastrointestinal discomfort alarm I remember that for a while, I often eat a brand of instant Congee for breakfast. At first, I thought it was convenient and delicious, but after two weeks, my stomach always felt slightly bloated, as if there was a lump of gas rushing back and forth. One morning, a sharp cramp woke me up from my sleep, and the cold sweat on my forehead soaked my pillow. When going to the hospital for gastroscopy, the doctor looked at the examination report and said, 'There is some edema in the gastric mucosa. Have you eaten too much processed food recently?'? "It occurred to me that sodium lactate was listed in the ingredient list of those cans of instant Congee.
Later, it was found that some people may have different tolerance to sodium lactate. When ingested in excess, it may irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, causing symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Just like my friend who also loves to eat processed foods, every time after finishing a ham sandwich, he would cover his stomach and run to the bathroom. He once smiled wryly and said, 'I used to think it was because of my poor digestive system, but now I suspect that sodium lactate might be causing trouble.' Readers, have you ever experienced similar gastrointestinal discomfort after eating certain processed foods? Think back to those foods that make your body uncomfortable, and whether there is sodium lactate on the ingredient list.
（2） The quiet disruption of electrolyte balance. Last summer, I participated in outdoor expansion training and had an energy bar and functional drink provided by the organizer for lunch. In the afternoon, while running under the scorching sun, I suddenly felt my limbs weaken and my eyes turn black in waves. The accompanying medical staff rushed over and tested my electrolyte, and found that the sodium ion concentration was slightly abnormal. Later, I carefully checked the ingredients of the energy bar and found that sodium lactate appeared on the list again. The electrolyte balance in the human body is like a precise balance, and sodium ions play an important role in maintaining extracellular fluid osmotic pressure, neuromuscular excitability, and other aspects. As a type of sodium salt, excessive intake of sodium lactate may disrupt this balance. Especially for those who suffer from hypertension, kidney disease and other diseases, the ability of the kidney to regulate sodium excretion is weakened, which is more likely to lead to sodium retention in the body, leading to edema, high blood pressure and other problems. Just like Mr. Zhang in the community, who has a history of hypertension but always loves to eat pickled meat, his blood pressure was always unstable for a period of time. Later, the doctor reminded him to pay attention to the sodium content in food additives, and he realized that sodium lactate was also one of the sources of "invisible sodium". Shouldn't we also pay attention to sodium lactate in food additives while paying attention to our salt intake?
（3） The potential threat of special groups: When my cousin was pregnant, she particularly liked to eat a certain imported biscuit. Once I accompanied her to a prenatal check-up, and the doctor advised her to control her sodium intake to avoid worsening edema. After returning home, we carefully checked the ingredient list of the cookies and found that sodium lactate ranked third. At that moment, my cousin's face was a bit nervous: "I only knew to eat less salt before, but I didn't expect to pay attention to the sodium in additives." For special populations such as pregnant women, infants, and those with liver and kidney dysfunction, the harm of food additive sodium lactate to the human body may be more obvious. Pregnant women experience metabolic changes during pregnancy, and excessive sodium intake may increase the burden on the kidneys and increase the risk of gestational hypertension; The development of various organs in infants and young children is not yet fully developed, the liver has weak metabolic capacity for additives, and the renal excretion function is also not sound. Long term intake may affect growth and development; And for those with liver and kidney dysfunction, their ability to regulate electrolytes and metabolites in the body decreases, and the accumulation of sodium lactate may further increase the burden on organs. Just like a kidney disease patient in the hospital, due to not paying attention to food additives, the result is an increase in blood sodium and fluctuations in the condition. Readers with special populations at home must be cautious when choosing food, carefully check the ingredient list, and avoid adding extra burden to their bodies caused by sodium lactate. 3、 Difference in dosage: Key factors behind harm

(1) The difference between national standards and actual intake. China has clear national standards for the use of food additive sodium lactate, which stipulate the maximum usage amount in different foods.
. For example, in prefabricated meat products, the maximum usage of sodium lactate is 30 grams per kilogram; The maximum usage amount in bread is 20 grams per kilogram. These standards have been scientifically evaluated to ensure that they will not pose a threat to human health within the normal range of use. But the reality is that we may consume a variety of foods containing sodium lactate every day. The bread we eat in the morning contains sodium lactate, the ham sandwich we eat at noon contains sodium lactate, and the frozen dumplings we eat at night also contain sodium lactate. Combined with the content in some beverages and snacks, unknowingly, the intake may exceed the safe dose of a single food. Just like when I made a simple record for a period of time, the amount of sodium lactate ingested from various processed foods in a day actually approached the maximum usage limit for a certain type of food according to national standards. Dear readers, have you ever thought about the total amount of sodium lactate you consume from different foods every day? Perhaps unintentionally, we are already hovering on the brink of overconsumption. （2） If the cumulative effect of long-term intake is only occasional small intake of sodium lactate, the body may be able to excrete it through its own metabolic functions. But the problem is that the widespread presence of processed foods in modern life exposes us to sodium lactate almost every day. Will this long-term, low-dose intake have a cumulative effect in the body? Studies have shown that long-term excessive intake of sodium lactate may have potential effects on the human immune and endocrine systems. Although these studies are still exploring further, we cannot ignore this possibility. Just like smoking, one or two cigarettes may not show any harm, but the long-term harm of smoking to the body is obvious. The harm of food additive sodium lactate to the human body may also require us to pay attention to it from a long-term perspective. Dear readers, may we consider whether the processed foods we eat every day have become the protagonists of our daily lives? And the sodium lactate in these foods is unknowingly accompanying our bodies for a long time.
4、 Rational Response: Take the Initiative to Protect Dietary Health (1) Learn to Look at the Ingredient List and Be a "Smart Diner" Since I started paying attention to sodium lactate, when I go to the supermarket to buy food, I always stay in front of the shelf for a few more minutes and carefully check the ingredient list. Foods with simple ingredients and fewer additives have gradually become my first choice. For example, when buying bread, I would choose a style that only has basic ingredients such as flour, yeast, water, and sugar, rather than a long ingredient list containing multiple additives. Dear readers, next time you go to the supermarket, you may also try to slow down and check if there is sodium lactate in the ingredient list of the food you often buy. If there is, think about whether its content is reasonable and whether you really need to purchase it. After all, every choice we make is a vote for our own health. （2） Reduce dependence on processed foods and return to a natural diet. For convenience, I often rely on processed foods for three meals. But now I understand that fresh vegetables, fruits, meats, and grains are the most essential sources of nutrition for the body. On weekends, I go to the market to pick fresh ingredients and cook by myself. Although it took a bit more time, every bite taken is reassuring.

Reducing the intake of processed foods not only lowers the intake of sodium lactate, but also allows us to enjoy the most authentic taste of food. Dear readers, starting today, try making your own meal and bid farewell to fast food filled with additives, allowing your body to be nourished in a natural diet.
（3） Pay attention to food safety information and enhance self-protection. I usually pay attention to authoritative food safety information release platforms to understand the latest research and regulatory trends on food additives. When I see new reports about sodium lactate, I will read them carefully to obtain useful information and adjust my dietary choices. As consumers, we have the right and obligation to pay attention to food safety. Only by constantly enhancing self-protection awareness can we make healthier choices when faced with numerous foods. Dear readers, what channels do you usually use to learn about food safety information? Why not share it and let's learn together to safeguard our dietary health. 5、 Summary: Let every bite of food be filled with peace of mind. Recalling the doubts I had when I saw sodium lactate in the supermarket, after this period of understanding and attention, I have gained a clearer understanding of the harm of food additive sodium lactate to the human body. It may cause discomfort to the gastrointestinal tract, disrupt the electrolyte balance in the body, and pose a potential threat to special populations, and the cumulative effect of long-term excessive intake cannot be ignored. But we don't have to worry about "additives". As long as we learn to view them rationally, pay attention to checking ingredient lists in daily life, reduce dependence on processed foods, and pay attention to food safety information, we can enjoy the convenience of modern food while minimizing the harm caused by sodium lactate. After all, the initiative for healthy eating lies in our own hands.

I hope every reader can pay attention to the impact of food additives, and from now on, carefully select every food, so that every bite we take is full of peace of mind and health. When we learn to coexist peacefully with food additives, we can truly have a vibrant body to embrace every beautiful moment in life.