More trouble linked to ultra-processed foods

Polysorbate 80, guar gum, carboxymethylcellulose, and carrageenan aren’t words heard in everyday life, but depending on your diet, you may be consuming these emulsifiers regularly, and that can spell trouble for your gut and even your brain.

Some food products contain liquids that don’t mix well and emulsifiers are used to prevent their separation. In highly processed foods like baked goods and ice cream, emulsifiers have been linked to alterations in gut microbiome and inflammation. Benoit Chassaing, PhD, says this inflammation doesn’t remain confined to the gut, and that “...it can act as a catalyst for various chronic diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), metabolic syndrome, and even conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.”

Laboratory studies on polysorbate 80 found that this emulsifier disrupted the blood-brain barrier, leading researchers to conclude that microbiome imbalances caused by diet “may be a risk factor for age-related cognitive decline.”

In this article from Food and Wine, learn more about the impacts of commonly used emulsifiers and dietary recommendations to improve gut health.
https://www.foodandwine.com/emulsifiers-in-food-health-risk-study-8774344