Summary
Emulsifiers affect the mucus layer lining the gut. Emulsifiers also alter the composition of your gut microbes. These changes can lead to systemic inflammation, metabolic disease, and cognitive decline.
A new study by Jessica Fitzpatrick and colleagues at Monash University found that while unstressed people were able to deal well with emulsifiers, stressed people showed increased intestinal permeability. The study is concerning because this “leaky gut” phenomenon can increase anxiety and stress, leading to a vicious cycle.
An unbalanced or dysbiotic gut microbiome can cause inflammation and over time can lead to many chronic diseases. Not all emulsifiers are bad. The synthetic ones seem to be worse, perhaps because our bodies aren’t used to them.
“Dietary Emulsifiers Consumption Alters Anxiety-like and Social-Related Behaviors in Mice in a Sex-Dependent Manner.” “The Effect of Dietary Emulsifier and Thickeners on Intestinal Barrier Function and Its Response to Acute Stress in Healthy Adult Humans.“ “ The Effect of. Dietary Emulifiers and Thinnerers on the Intestinal. Barrier Function in Healthy adult Humans.