This Common Food Additive Is In Everything — and It Could Be Messing With Your Health

Emulsifiers found in many processed and ultra-processed foods may lead to chronic inflammation in the gut — setting off a “chain reaction of health issues.”

Some substances don’t mix naturally, like oil and water. But many recipes call for these incompatible ingredients to be featured together. That’s where emulsifiers come in. These substances allow foods like salad dressings, baked goods, and ice cream to come to life — and they may be messing with your health.
That’s the major takeaway from several recent studies. Data suggest that emulsifiers can do a number on your gut microbiome and even impact your brain.

However, emulsifiers are found in a wide range of processed foods — such as salad dressings, baked goods, and flavored drinks — making them difficult to avoid. Here’s what the data show about emulsifiers, plus how concerned about this you should be.

What are emulsifiers?
Emulsifiers are food additive molecules that work to prevent the separation of liquids that don’t usually mix. These ingredients help to “give foods the texture and consistency consumers expect,” per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

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