Food Emulsifiers:Are they harming your health? « Euro Weekly News

Are Emulsifiers making you ill? What you need to know about these Ubiquitous ingredients

You’ll find them in everything from salad dressing to ice cream, but could these common food additives be doing more harm than good?

What Are Emulsifiers and why are they in our food?

Emulsifiers are clever little molecules that help mix ingredients that wouldn’t normally blend, like oil and water. They give food that smooth, consistent texture we’ve come to expect in things like salad dressings, baked goods, and even some drinks. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) generally recognises them as safe (GRAS), but recent studies are raising some serious questions. Common emulsifiers include things like guar gum, lecithin, and carrageenan.

The latest research: Emulsifiers linked to Gut problems and even brain fog

Over the past few years, a growing body of research has suggested that emulsifiers might not be as harmless as we once thought. Studies have linked them to problems with our gut microbiome (the community of bacteria living in our gut) and even potential issues with our brains.

• A study in Nature Communications Biology found that certain emulsifiers caused inflammation in mice, along with higher blood sugar and insulin resistance (which can lead to diabetes). Interestingly, synthetic emulsifiers seemed to be worse than natural ones.
• Another study in BMC Microbiome looked at how emulsifiers affect gut cells and concluded that many common emulsifiers can mess with our gut bacteria in a way that promotes inflammation. Polysorbate 80 and carboxymethylcellulose were singled out as particularly disruptive.
• And it doesn’t stop there. A study in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity found that one emulsifier, polysorbate 80, could even disrupt the blood-brain barrier in mice. This is a crucial protective layer in the brain, and any disruption could potentially lead to problems down the line. The study suggested that an imbalanced gut, potentially caused by diet, could be a risk factor for age-related cognitive decline – that’s things like memory problems and brain fog.

How do Emulsifiers mess with our gut and brain?

Scientists are still trying to figure out exactly how emulsifiers cause these problems, but they have some good theories. One key idea is that emulsifiers can upset the delicate balance of bacteria in our gut. They might kill off the good bacteria while allowing harmful, inflammation-causing bacteria to thrive. This disruption can then have knock-on effects on our metabolism and immune system. Some emulsifiers might also weaken the gut’s protective lining, which could have further negative impacts on our health, including our brain.

What can you do to protect your gut?

The good news is, there are steps you can take to look after your gut. The main thing is to cut back on ultra-processed foods, which are often packed with emulsifiers and other dodgy additives. These are foods that have been heavily changed from their natural state and usually contain lots of added sugar, salt, fat, and artificial ingredients. Instead, try to focus on eating whole, minimally processed foods like fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains. These are full of fibre, which is like food for your good gut bacteria. A healthy gut is vital for overall health, so making these simple dietary changes can make a real difference. While it’s difficult to completely avoid emulsifiers, being aware of them and making informed food choices is a good start.