E511 (Magnesium Chloride) is an inorganic chemical compound consisting of two chloride ions and one magnesium ion.

It appears as a white crystalline powder.

Magnesium chloride occurs naturally in :

• all green vegetables
• legumes
• whole cereals
• potato skins
• oats
• bran
• bananas
• milk
• cocoa

What it is used for and where

Food

Ingredient on the European food additives list as E511, firming, aggregating and raising agent. Adjuvant food supplement in the treatment of arthritis, muscle pain, fatigue.

Medical

Magnesium is important in the metabolism of vitamin D and its actions.

Severe magnesium deficiency can lead to neuromuscular hyperexcitability with upper and/or lower limb cramps (1), cardiovascular problems and arteriosclerosis (2).

A diet of fruit and vegetables, increased magnesium content from 176mg per day to 423mg per day, reduced blood pressure in adult subjects classified as non-hypertensive. (3)

In the elderly, magnesium deficiency was found to be due to reduced appetite, decreased taste and smell, falling teeth and difficulty in going to the grocery store daily, as well as disaffection from cooking. Moreover, magnesium absorption tends to decrease with age due to physiological issues.(4)

Many studies have focused on the optimal amount of magnesium to take depending on age and gender (5), which is also effective against migraine (6).

Cosmetics

Flavoring agent. The purpose of this ingredient is to modify the solution to add flavour. Natural flavouring extracts are rather expensive, so the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries resort to synthesised substances that have sensory characteristics mostly similar to natural flavourings or are naturally equivalent. This ingredient is isolated through chemical processes or is synthesised from chemicals. It is also referred to as Aroma.

Viscosity control agent. It controls and adapts viscosity to the required level for optimal chemical and physical stability of the product and dosage in gels, suspensions, emulsions, solutions. 

Other uses

• In aquaria it stabilises the correct balance of calcium, alkaline value and pH.
• Considered the best product for melting ice as it is less corrosive than other products.

• Molecular Formula   Cl₂Mg
• Molecular Weight    95.205 g/mol
• CAS   7786-30-3
• UNII    59XN63C8VM
• EC Number       232-094-6
• DSSTox ID  DTXSID5034690
• IUPAC  magnesium;dichloride
• InChl=1S/2ClH.Mg/h2*1H;/q;;+2/p-2
• InChl Key      TWRXJAOTZQYOKJ-UHFFFAOYSA-L
• SMILES  [Mg+2].[Cl-].[Cl-] 
• MDL number  MFCD00011106
• PubChem Substance ID    24897235
• ChEBI  6636
• RTECS  OM2800000
• NCI    C76656
• RXCUI      1311539  
• Nikkaji      J43.880D    
• ISC    0764  
• NACRES   NA.23

Synonyms :

• Magnesium chloride anhydrous
• Chloromagnesite
• Magnesiumchlorid
• Magnesium(2+) dichloride

References_________________________________________________________________________

(1) Rude RK, Singer FR. Magnesium deficiency and excess. Ann Rev Med. 1980;32:245–259

(2) Altura BT, Brust M, Bloom S, Barbour RL, Stempak JG, Altura BM. Magnesium dietary intake modulates blood lipid levels and atherogenesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1990;87:1840–1844

(3) Appel LJ, Moore TJ, Obarzanek E, Vollmer WM, Svetkey LP, Sacks FM, Bray GA, Vogt TM, Cutler JA, Windhauser MM, Lin PH, Karanja N. A clinical trial of the effects of dietary patterns on blood pressure. N Engl J Med. 1997;336:1117–1124

(4) Lowik MR, van Dokkum W, Kistemaker C, Schaafsma G, Ockhuizen T. Body composition, health status and urinary magnesium excretion among elderly people (Dutch Nutrition Surveillance System). Magnes Res. 1993;6:223–232

(5) Schwartz R, Spencer H, Welsh JJ. Magnesium absorption in human subjects from leafy vegetables, intrinsically labeled with stable 26Mg. Am J Clin Nutr. 1984;39:571–576.
Hunt MS, Schofield FA. Magnesium balance and protein intake level in adult human female. Am J Clin Nutr. 1969;22:367–373

(6) Sun-Edelstein C, Mauskop A. Foods and supplements in the management of migraine headaches.  Clin J Pain. 2009 Jun;25(5):446-52. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0b013e31819a6f65. Review.