Emulsifiers linked to obesity - scientists find
05 Feb 2016
Emulsifiers, commonly used in processed foods such as ice cream, bread and chocolate, could be a key cause of obesity, according to scientists.
The food additives alter fats and oils to enable them to mix with water, which creates smoother textures in foods. However, scientists have found that the emulsifiers remain chemically active after they’ve been eaten, leading to hunger and overeating.
Dr Benoit Chassaing, of the Institute for Biomedical Sciences at Georgia State University, told The Times: “Emulsifiers alter the composition of gut bacteria, causing inflammation of the intestinal lining. That appears to increase hunger — meaning more food is eaten than is needed. This could lead to long-term weight gain.”
Chassaing published a research paper on the effects of emulsifiers in animals and is now studying the same effect in humans.