* A heterocyclic compound found in grass and wood rhinoceros
Function of dihydrocoumarin
Mainly added as a flavor additive to foods such as beverages, gelatin, pudding and confectionery. In the cosmetics industry, it is mainly used as a fragrance and preservative ingredient in perfumes, moisturizers, soaps and creams.
Safety/side effects
A two-year animal study conducted by the National Toxicology Program (NTP[1]) found some evidence of carcinogenic activity. In addition to this, according to a study published in the Public Library of Sciences (PLOS[2]) in 2005, this ingredient can accelerate the aging process by inhibiting sirtuin deacetylatase, which is essential for regulating healthy aging. In fact, increasing sirtuin has been shown to increase the lifespan of yeast, roundworms, and fruit flies, while inhibition of this enzyme has been shown to reduce yeast lifespan by 30%. Further studies have found similar evidence that coumarin may accelerate the aging process and increase cytotoxicity [3]. Most importantly, the ingredient is a well-documented sensitizing substance that has been shown to cause skin irritation and allergic reactions, so many countries, such as Canada, prohibit the use of the ingredient in cosmetics [4].