A study has found that the additive E171, used as a whitening agent in many foods such as chewing gum and mayonnaise, may have a significant and harmful impact on human intestinal health. The study, published in the journal “Frontiers in Nutrition,” examined the health effects of titanium dioxide.
The additive E171 is found in more than 900 foods and is consumed at high levels by the population every day, according to researchers at the University of Sydney in Australia. The study in mice found that eating foods containing E171 had an impact on intestinal flora - the trillions of bacteria that live in the gut and can cause diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer.
“The aim of this research is to stimulate discussions about new standards and regulations to ensure the safe use of titanium dioxide in Australia and globally,” said Professor Wojciech Chrzanowski from the University of Sydney. For example, the dye will be banned in France from January 1, 2020.
Titanium dioxide consumption has increased significantly over the past decade and has already been linked to several diseases. Although it is permitted in food, there is insufficient evidence of its safety.
“This study provides crucial evidence that consumption of foods containing the food additive E171 affects intestinal flora and triggers inflammation in the intestines, leading toIntestinal diseases and colon cancercan lead,” he said.
“Our research has shown that titanium dioxide interacts with bacteria in the gut and impairs some of their functions, which can lead to the development of disease,” said Professor Laurence Macia from the University of Sydney.
Researchers examined the effects of E171 on intestinal health in mice and found that titanium dioxide did not change the composition of perineal flora but instead impaired bacterial activity, which in turn led to the formation of an undesirable biofilm. “Biofilm formation has been reported in diseases such as colon cancer,” Macia said.
