This Additive Is In Thousands of Foods in the US — and Could Be Disrupting Your Gut Health

A new study suggests that one of the most commonly used food additives may be far more dangerous to human health than previously thought.

In the upcoming August issue of the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology, researchers from Jiaxing Nanhu University in China presented their findings on titanium dioxide, a commonly used synthetic white pigment found in approximately 11,000 food items in the United States.

The Guardian explained that in the new research, scientists studied the impact of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the endocrine system of mice. To reach their conclusion, the team divided the mice into three groups: those fed titanium dioxide nanoparticles, those given larger microparticles, and a control group. The group that received the nanoparticles exhibited lower levels of several types of critical gut hormones, which are typically secreted by enteroendocrine cells.

Researchers explain that this indicates titanium dioxide may disrupt blood sugar levels, leading to the mice’s inability to manage their glucose effectively. Additionally, it suggests that the enteroendocrine cells, responsible for producing hormones crucial for regulating appetite and blood sugar, including the now widely known hormone GLP-1, might not function correctly due to contact with the additive.

“It is estimated that an average person could ingest trillions of [titanium dioxide] particles each day,” the authors wrote. “As the first internal defense against these particles, the gut will be in direct contact with them. Moreover, research has shown that the determination of intestinal stem cells’ fate is largely shaped by environmental factors rather than by the inherent characteristics of the cells themselves.” Meaning, you really are what you eat.

As Food & Wine previously reported, in early June, the candy makers behind Skittles announced that they’re removing the ingredient that gives the candy its famous glossy look from products sold in the U.S. However, it remains present in various candies, pastries, and sodas available worldwide and throughout the U.S. 

The ingredient was banned in the EU in 2022 after research could not rule out the possibility that it could cause potential DNA damage. Titanium dioxide also garnered special attention in the White House’s Make America Healthy Again report, which states that it “may cause cellular and DNA damage.”

The White House report also referenced a 2022 study that concluded the ingredient could lead to “oxidative stress.” The study noted that this stress might also result in adverse reactions such as “colorectal cancer, liver injury, reproductive toxicity, cardiac and kidney damage.” 

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it continues to regulate the use of titanium dioxide in foods; however, it noted it is “currently reviewing a Color Additive Petition filed on April 14, 2023” asking it to revoke access to its use. To date, the FDA has not taken any action on the petition.