A common food additive called titanium dioxide has been found to trigger gut inflammation
A common food additive called titanium dioxide, used in many food items such as chewing gum and mayonnaise may have a substantial and harmful influence on human gut health, a study has found.
Changes in gut microbiota and inflammation have been found to be associated with many non-communicable diseases. While diet has a profound impact on gut microbiota composition and function, the role of food additives such as titanium dioxide or E171 (titanium dioxide nanoparticles), prevalent in processed food, is less established. E171 is found in more than 900 food products such as chewing gum and mayonnaise and is consumed in high proportion everyday by the general population. It  is often used in high quantities in foods and some medicines as a whitening agent.
The aim of this research is to stimulate discussions on new standards and regulations to ensure safe use of nanoparticles in Australia and globally
Researchers investigated the impact of food additive E171 on gut microbiota of mice when orally administered via drinking water. While E171 had minimal impact on the composition of the microbiota in the small intestine and colon, they found that E171 treatment could alter the gut microbiota leading to inflammation in the large intestine which could trigger diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal cancer.
“The aim of this research is to stimulate discussions on new standards and regulations to ensure safe use of nanoparticles in Australia and globally,” said Associate Professor Wojciech Chrzanowski, from the University of Sydney.
While nanoparticles have been commonly used in medicines, foods, clothing, and other applications, the possible impacts of nanoparticles, especially their long term effects, are still poorly understood. Although titanium dioxide is approved for use in food, but there is insufficient evidence about its safety.
Increasing rates of dementia, autoimmune diseases, cancer metastasis, eczema, asthma, and autism are among a growing list of diseases that have been linked to increasing exposure to nanoparticles.
“There is increasing evidence that continuous exposure to nanoparticles has an impact on gut microbiota composition, and since gut microbiota is a gate-keeper of our health, any changes to its function have an influence on overall health,” Chrzanowski said.
“This study presents pivotal evidence that consumption of food containing food additive E171 (titanium dioxide) affects gut microbiota as well as inflammation in the gut, which could lead to diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal cancer,” he added.
Findings were published in the journal of Frontiers in Nutrition.
