Common Emulsifiers (surfactants) Impact the Gut Microbiota

It is now understood that the disturbance of the microbiota-host relationship is associated with numerous chronic inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease and metabolic syndrome. It has been hypothesized that detergent-like molecules that are a ubiquitous component of processed foods, and that can increase bacterial translocation across epithelia, may
be promoting the increase in inflammatory bowel disease observed since the mid-twentieth century. Researchers reported that in mice, relatively low concentrations of two commonly used emulsifiers (carboxymethylcellulose and polysorbate-80), induced low grade inflammation and obesity/metabolic syndrome in wild-type hosts and promoted robust colitis in mice predisposed to this disorder. This chemically induced metabolic syndrome was associated with microbiota encroachment, altered species composition and increased pro-inflammatory potential. Researchers’ results support the emerging concept that perturbed host-microbiota interaction resulting in low-grade inflammation can promote adiposity and its associated metabolic effects, and they suggest that the broad use of chemical emulsifying agents (surfactants) might be contributing to an increased societal incidence of obesity/metabolic syndrome and other chronic inflammatory diseases.

Chassaing B, et al. Dietary emulsifiers impact the mouse gut microbiota promoting colitis and metabolic syndrome. Nature. Vol 519. 5 March 2015.