The Dangers of Additives in Ultra-Processed Foods During Pregnancy
Scientists say that eating common additives in ultra-processed foods during pregnancy may increase the risk of health problems in offspring.
Emulsifiers Linked to Physical and Mental Health Problems
A Spanish study in rats found that two common emulsifiers used to bind food chemicals lead to physical and mental health problems, such as anxiety, in their offspring.
Carboxymethylcellulose and Polysorbate 80
The study looked at two additives—carboxymethylcellulose and polysorbate 80—found in thousands of foods, including microwaved meals, butter, sauces, and ice cream, adding to a long list of health problems caused by eating too many ultra-processed foods.
The Study’s Findings
The researchers gave female mice water containing 1% emulsifiers, the maximum amount allowed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Usually, 0.25% to 0.8% is added to food.
Mice continued to receive water during pregnancy and lactation. The control group was given water without emulsifiers.
They found that the offspring of mice at 10 weeks of age experienced unintentional weight loss and anxiety behavior.
Male mice were more likely to lose weight, while female mice were more likely to experience anxiety. This is because the emulsifiers disrupted neural connections in the hypothalamus, a brain structure that acts as the body’s control center.
The hypothalamus produces leptin, a hormone that causes the body to expend more energy, resulting in weight loss.
Unintentional weight loss, if not controlled, can lead to serious health consequences, including malnutrition.
Female mice also experienced higher levels of anxiety.
And while the mice in the study lost weight, rising rates of obesity suggest that additives in processed foods may have the opposite effect in humans.
Association with Obesity and Other Health Problems
For example, a global comparative study published in the journal Obesity Reviews found that increased human consumption of ultra-processed foods and drinks is associated with a higher body mass index (BMI).
“(Super-processed foods) tend to be very high in sodium, substances like sodium, sugar, refined carbohydrates in general, unhealthy fats, and preservatives,” Jessica Cording, a registered dietitian in New York, told The Daily Mail earlier.
Although the health effects in the new study are minor, they add to the long list of complications found in previous studies.
For example, a 2022 study published in the journal Neuroscience found that a 10% increase in the consumption of highly processed foods can increase the risk of dementia.
In addition, a large French study found that the same increase in consumption of highly processed superfoods resulted in an increased risk of breast cancer.
Two studies conducted by researchers in Spain and France found an association between the consumption of ultra-processed foods and an increased risk of premature death.
Conclusion and Further Research
The authors of the new study said more research is needed to find out how these effects in mice translate into how healthy they are in humans.
The study was published in the journal PLOS Biology.
Source: Daily Mail
